Saint Joan -TNT

Splintered, dead tree trunks and atmospheric chanting evoke a medieval yet timeless world of the supernatural, as Anne-Marie Duff's Joan of Arc — with a soft Irish accent and a direct line to God — overcomes the scepticism of squires and soldiers to lead the French army into battle against the English.Guided by her "voices", she reclaims Orléans and places Paul Ready's reluctant Dauphin on the throne, yet she still falls foul of the Catholic authorities who are determined to save her soul but are less careful of her body. George Bernard Shaw's arguments between church and state come alive in Marianne Elliott's partially cut production — especially when Angus Wright's silky Earl of Warwick takes tea with Paterson Joseph's intelligent Bishop Cauchon, who ultimately proves no match for Oliver Ford Davies's wise Inquisitor.
Olivier at the National Theatre, South Bank, SE1 (020-7452 3000). Until September 25, part of the £10 Travelex season.

Louise Kingsley