Racing Demon
David Hare
The first part of Hare's State of the Nation trilogy, this play examines the Church of England’s struggle to remain relevant in a modern, secular society. Set in a South London parish, it pits a liberal, compassionate clergyman against a young, evangelical curate and a rigid, traditionalist Bishop. The drama explores the conflict between personal faith and institutional survival, asking whether a church can truly serve the poor while being torn apart by internal theological warfare. It is a compassionate and intellectually rigorous look at an institution in crisis, balanced with moments of profound humor and spiritual doubt.
Lionel Espy: A gentle, liberal vicar whose belief in quiet pastoral care is challenged by the more aggressive, dogmatic approaches of both his superiors and his subordinates. Tony Ferris: A young, zealously evangelical curate whose black-and-white view of morality and faith causes explosive conflict within the parish and with Lionel. The Bishop of Southwark: A pragmatic, authoritarian figure who is more concerned with the Church’s public image and institutional stability than with complex theological nuances.
First Performance: 1990, at Cottesloe Theatre (National Theatre), London
Critical masterpiece; won the Olivier and Evening Standard Awards for Best Play.
Original Actors: Oliver Ford Davies, Richard Pasco