This zany new play about a woman abandoning her chastity pledge in childhood premiered in Glasgow at the Alasdair Cameron Festival in June 2023 and went on to have a run at the 2023 Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August. This wacky tale follows protagonist Joan, as her stories of casual sex are accompanied by classic Catholic hymns. Through awkward threesomes and encounters with foot fetishes, Joan reflects on her upbringing in a religious community and must seek out information to compensate for her lack of sex education. In the process, she is confronted by the dismal state of sexual healthcare in the United States. Joan, played by writer Abigail Jensen, is forced to ask herself if this new world can offer anything other than broken hearts, bloody noses and… butter?

 

American playwright Jensen traverses the chaos at the intersection of sexual inexperience and rejection of long-held beliefs. Emerging Scottish actors Jamie Cowan and Niamh McGarvey round out the cast, portraying the parade of eccentric strangers (and some fellow ex-Catholics) who meet Joan along the way. An atmosphere in which faith gets freaky is set by snarky stage manager Leah Nelson, who takes the audience on a musical journey that climaxes… well, when Joan does. Sex Diaries of an Ex-Catholic is an acclaimed play currently available for production. Our talented team is hoping to bring this story to festival, as well as local, stages internationally. If you want more information, media, and videos, please reach out to the show email or Abigail Jensen directly at abigailmjensen99@gmail.com !