ACT I
Milo, a priest, has started having doubts about his faith. He turns to his colleagues William and Dominic to relieve his heart telling them how the endless wars in the world have opened his eyes and raised questions about God: why doesn’t God interfere with life on earth and does he even exists at all?
He tells about dreaming of death and demolition and how a beautiful woman appears singing to him in his dreams. He wants to leave the comfort of the pulpit to be stationed in one of the world’s hotspots to help the victims of the war in his attempt to find God. Reluctantly Dominic follows Milo on his journey.
After nearly a year, on their way back to London, the plane has to land in Barcelona due to a blizzard. It’s on the day of New Year’s Eve and all planes are cancelled for days. Milo and Dominic need to find a place to stay. Luckily they meet Jazz and Tandu in the airport (members of a dance orchestra) who are going to perform at a fancy hotel that same night. Jazz knows the hotel manager and convinces Milo and Dominic to join them. He invites them to the party at the hotel.
Overwhelmed by the lavish party and still tormented by his doubts about God, Milo wants to leave the party but suddenly he spots the woman from his dreams. And she, Elvita, spots him! They declare their love in the garden of the hotel. Later that night Milo is torn between his confusing thoughts about God and his feelings of love for Elvita. He falls asleep dreaming of his ‘inner defenders of belief’ and of Elvita. He’s awakened by a knocking at the door and Elvita comes in and they end up spending the night together. Milo’s promise of celibacy is broken. He’s certain he wants Elvita in his life and now, more than ever, needs to find inner peace.
When Dominic coincidentally mentions a wise man in Japan Milo instantly feels he must go searching for him. Milo tells Elvita about his sudden decision of going to Japan and asks if she’ll wait for him. Elvita is confused and frustrated that the man she just met is leaving her. She sends him away without any promises.
ACT II
In Japan Milo rents a room from a woman named Yuri in a small village. Through conversations with Yuri, Milo becomes acquainted with Hiromi and she encourages him to trust his dreams and to choose love. While Milo is in Japan he writes letters to Elvita.
He spends months searching for the wise man, Hiromi, who lives isolated in the mountains. Finally he finds him and hopes to get his many questions answered. By talking to Hiromi, Milo’s despaired mind is gradually relieved.
Back at Yuri’s room Milo tries to comprehend the words of Hiromi’s wisdom. In his sleep he dreams of a new beginning which leads him to his revelation.
Milo returns to Barcelona where he’s reunited with his beloved Elvita.
About the play
The story about Milo is inspired by the song, The Fallen Priest, from the Barcelona album made by Freddie Mercury and Monserrat Caballé in 1988. The album consists of 8 songs with the tuneful songs Barcelona, How Can I Go On and Guide Me Home as the most familiar music from this album. The story is weaved around the songs and takes the spectators not only on a journey around the world but also through Milo’s inner journey.
Betina Løvbeck Jensen, 2022