Donna Fletcher Crow, Novelist of British History, has written more than 50 books specializing in British Christianity. These books include: The Monastery Murders, clerical mysteries; Lord Danvers Investigates, Victorian true-crime; The Elizabeth and Richard series, literary suspense; and Glastonbury, The Novel of Christian England. She loves research and sharing you-are-there experiences with her readers.

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Donna Fletcher Crow, Novelist of British History

A traveling researcher engages people and places from Britain's past and present, drawing comparisons and contrasts between past and present for today's reader.

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Production of Saul, A Tragedy in Five Acts, scores a Shakespearean Triumph

By Donna Fletcher Crow ~ July 2, 2025

Saturday evening the new Wesley Hall at Boise’s Epworth Free Methodist Church had the great pleasure of hosting the presentation of a new drama written and produced by local playwright and drama teacher Brett Eshelman. I had read the script in a beta version—now it was to come alive before my eyes. Our family had watched the House of David series with immense enjoyment, so I was anxious to see this production focusing on Saul, the quintessential tragic hero.

Even when approaching the theatre from Winstead Park it was clear that the all-important magic ingredient of live theatre—Energy—was present. “Backstage” was the grassy knoll behind the multi-use parish hall. There, well before curtain time, the costumed actors were discovered: some strolling, some reviewing lines, some doing voice exercises. All reminiscent of the old days of the Idaho Shakespeare Theatre at its Park Center home by the Boise River.

Music evocative of the Middle East matched the stylized endless stretches of barren land suggested by the moveable flats marking the stage. Author Brett Eshelman, in costume as cast member, opened with a few words. He explained that he had been teaching a Bible class on I Samuel, when he realized Saul’s story of the fall of a great man was the classic tragedy. One which Shakespeare missed. “So, I wrote it to help out a brother.” The audience responded with laughter and a round of anticipatory applause.

The nicely diverse chorus, looking convincingly authentic in costumes of fabric and design suggesting the ancient holy land, set the scene in classic, rhyming strophe and antistrophe—a brave choice for the playwright which paid off with a cast that never descended into sing-song. Reg Finger served as a graceful and clear chorus leader and narrator whose lines tied together the action of the numerous short scenes covering many years of historic events.

Eshelman’s deep knowledge of scripture enriched the dialogue with, often casually delivered, details that gave authenticity to the fast-moving plot.

Robert Ecker was perfectly cast in the role of Samuel the Prophet—especially with his stunning white beard and long hair. A valuable detail was that all the beards were real—important in such an intimate theatre setting. Samuel’s warnings were chilling as the people, with increasing insistence, demand their own desires over God’s will for them.

Adrian Anderson as Saul and Jarod Curl as his friend and servant Bochim, begin as antic, footless young men with no prospects. Bochim delivers all the laugh lines while Saul alternately hides and runs in his perplexity over Samuel’s anointing.

Act II brings Saul’s rise to power. Eshelman, as Nahash the king of Ammon, demonstrates his acting ability as well as his writing and directorial prowess. We see Saul, now a strong, regal leader, standing up to the far greater Ammonite forces with clever subterfuge against Nahash’s demands that the Israelites have their right eyes gouged out to gain the peace.

(Apology to my readers--at this point I became so caught up in the action I forgot to take pictures.)

Act III introduces a young David, stuttering and inept, engulfed by Saul’s over-sized armor, played by a charming Keoni Eshelman. Goliath is terrifying, even portrayed (wisely) off-stage. The audience sees the action through King Saul’s eyes as he sits, the only person on stage.

Now Saul’s descent into disobedience and madness increases. Saul wins a great victory over the Amalekites, utterly destroying the people, but failing to follow God’s decree that he destroy the cattle. Instead, he keeps the best for himself. Samuel confronts the king for his disobedience against God in a heart-rending scene. Saul offers a string of excuses, putting human wisdom ahead of God’s commandment. He blames his soldiers, then finally accuses the prophet of being at fault for his own misstep.

In perhaps the strongest scene in the play, Saul begs for forgiveness. Samuel declares that he is forgiven, but his disobedience remains, then turns to the people. They wanted a king more than they wanted God’s law. “The arrogance of power is too hard to control.” Samuel sees the disaster he had warned of looming. Desolation and barrenness await. “No further word of God is to be spoken to you…you will no longer see my face.”

David, on the run in fear of his life, comes upon Saul sleeping in a cave. A more mature David now shows his strength by refusing to kill the Lord’s anointed. Back in his throne room Saul, teetering on the brink of insanity, is at first comforted by David’s recitation of psalms. Then enraged, he attempts to kill David with a spear in a moment of high drama.

In deepening desperation Saul seeks out the Witch of Endor. The medium summons the spirit of the long-dead Samuel who tells Saul that, because of his disobedience, he and his sons will die in battle the next day and the kingdom will be taken from him.

The following day the prophecy comes true as Saul hears of the death of his sons. Then, wounded in battle with the Philistines, the once-mighty king falls on his own sword. The loyal Bochim comes on his fallen master and delivers a lament made more wrenching by its stark contrast to the light-heartedness of his Act I speeches.

In a moving epilogue David leads his people in a eulogy of Saul, “The beauty of Israel is slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen!”

I offer only one quibble. Throughout the action the 5 multi-sided flats were spun and rearranged to give backgrounds of desert sands, villages, battle scenes, cave, and throne room. All very effective except for the canvas drapes that required flipping with each scene change which I found distracting and confusing.

The warm audience response, however, was undulled by that nit and everyone left the hall enthusiastic for our next encounter with Eshelman’s Troubadours.

The script for Saul, A Tragedy in Five Acts, is readily available for study and discussion groups or for production by any community or church drama group.

Read about Eshelman’s other books and plays and my review of Rising Son, his biography of his father-in-law, a gripping story of Japan in World War II and God's faithfulness to The Kamazazi Pilot who Lived.

www.donnafletchercrow.com

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The Authorized Version

Donna Fletcher Crow, Novelist of British History

A traveling researcher engages people and places from Britain's past and present, drawing comparisons and contrasts between past and present for today's reader.

Production of Saul, A Tragedy in Five Acts, scores a Shakespearean Triumph

Reader Comments: