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Seven Deadly Sins - are we all of them?





I thought Imogen Stirling’s recent appearance at Eden Court Theatre in Love the Sinner was wonderful. The Vanishing Point production is a 70-minute series of dramatic poems performed by the author and accompanied by a soundscape of live electronic music.

The show immerses us in the Friday night lives of seven contemporary characters in a dystopic Scottish city strongly resembling Glasgow, a city divided by inequality and injustice. Imogen Stirling compassionately breathes life into those old stereotypes, the Seven Deadly Sins - Greed, Pride, Sloth, Gluttony, Wrath, Lust and Envy. They are unhappy, wounded, self-destructive, alone.

A depiction of the 'original sin' by Adam and Eve.
A depiction of the 'original sin' by Adam and Eve.

Envy, for instance, though projecting a false perfection on social media, is empty and dissatisfied. Gluttony is ‘desperate for acceptance’ and ‘sick with lust for an unattainable life’. The seven have vague collective memories of something better, of a communality centred on the shipyards of a Clyde-built past.

We are these characters, the poet indicates. Their story is our story.

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Throughout the 70 minutes there’s a sense of impending doom. Persistent rain; city buildings decaying with dampness; the angry river rising, a symbol of judgement or cleansing, or inner dread.

But there is redemption. One character finds her eyes opened to the threat, and is energised by the empowerment she has been seeking, that ‘primal ancient thing’. ‘It’s there in this city’s sense of community, but more… It’s transcendence of all that we think to be normal, it’s a force propelling disciples to follow their leader.’

This person is drawn to a self-sacrificial act; there’s a kind of death and resurrection which beneficially affects all seven characters, and, it is implied, the whole city.

Imogen Stirling sees her work as a catalyst for community awakening. It’s said she believes in ‘the radical potential of art to enact change and passion in society.’

I note that the book is prefaced with a quote from musician Patti Smith (presumably reflecting the author’s own viewpoint) - ‘Jesus died for somebody’s sins but not mine’. Elsewhere, Smith wrote of telling Christ ‘I am giving you the goodbye… I can make my own light shine’.

Yet, as a Christian I can’t help seeing God’s love reflected in Imogen Stirling’s performance. I believe that wherever there is rescue, restoration and healing the spirit of the Great Love is active, whether or not God is acknowledged. I believe that every uncoerced self-sacrificial act for the good of the community reflects Christ’s sacrifice.

And I believe that the ‘primal ancient thing’ that awakens us is greater than we could ever dream of.

How I love Imogen Stirling’s depiction of her characters at the end of the drama! ‘All seven are kintsugi creations, crafted of golden scar and candid despondency… And sinful? Oh yes, fallible and beautiful.’


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