Infallibility

by Matt Barbot

[FULL LENGTH] After being whisked off to Rome and tricked into playing a role in an infamous trial, aspiring actor Carlo has been thrown in a dungeon, guilty of committing a crime on behalf of the corrupt and vulgar medieval Pope Stephen VI, who has become obsessed with undoing his predecessor's work. (Sound like anyone you know?) With the help of Saint Genesius - the Patron Saint of Actors, Clowns, and Lawyers...

[FULL LENGTH] After being whisked off to Rome and tricked into playing a role in an infamous trial, aspiring actor Carlo has been thrown in a dungeon, guilty of committing a crime on behalf of the corrupt and vulgar medieval Pope Stephen VI, who has become obsessed with undoing his predecessor's work. (Sound like anyone you know?) With the help of Saint Genesius - the Patron Saint of Actors, Clowns, and Lawyers - Carlo must perform the story of how he wound up in this situation, regain his faith, and find a happy ending. Based on the true story of the Cadaver Synod.

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Infallibility

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear: Infallibility by Matt Barbot
    “

    A wonderful tribute telling the fascinating story the connection of theatre to faith. Revealing and well done!

    A wonderful tribute telling the fascinating story the connection of theatre to faith. Revealing and well done!

    ”
  • Kitchen Dog Theater: Infallibility by Matt Barbot
    “

    We are pleased to support this play! It was a Finalist for the 2020 New Works Festival at Kitchen Dog Theater in Dallas, Texas.

    We are pleased to support this play! It was a Finalist for the 2020 New Works Festival at Kitchen Dog Theater in Dallas, Texas.

    ”
  • River Timms: Infallibility by Matt Barbot
    “

    'Infallibility' is a master class in wit. Barbot takes the absolutely bananas story about the Cadaver Synod and shapes it into a tale about how there may be no true ultimate plan of God. Genesius and Carlo are excellent foundational characters (EXCELLENT choice to use the patron saint of clowns), but what really struck me about the play is how effortless and fluid the scene and character changes are. The action never truly stops as Carlo is thrown from one situation to the next. Modern comedia dell'arte at its best. This is the kind of religion-inspired art that I love.

    'Infallibility' is a master class in wit. Barbot takes the absolutely bananas story about the Cadaver Synod and shapes it into a tale about how there may be no true ultimate plan of God. Genesius and Carlo are excellent foundational characters (EXCELLENT choice to use the patron saint of clowns), but what really struck me about the play is how effortless and fluid the scene and character changes are. The action never truly stops as Carlo is thrown from one situation to the next. Modern comedia dell'arte at its best. This is the kind of religion-inspired art that I love.

    ”
View all 6 recommendations

Character Information

Actors in this play will wear masks and play multiple characters. Though it’s a slightly more recent form than the events of this play, Genesius’ theater masks and their characterizations should draw from commedia dell’arte.
  • Carlo
    An actor and a priest-in-training. He’s been jailed and tortured for an entire month.
    18 years old
    Any
    boy
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      Teens,
      20s
  • Genesius
    The Roman Catholic patron saint of actors, clowns, and lawyers. He becomes many characters.
    Any age
    Any
    Male
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s

Development History

  • Residency, The Sheen Center, 2019
  • Workshop, Theater for the New City, 2010

Production History

  • Fringe, The New York International Fringe Festival, 2013

Awards

  • New Works Festival
    Kitchen Dog Theater
    Finalist
    2020
  • Best of FringeNYC
    Indie Theater Now
    Selection
    2013