Over the years, the play has been performed in venues across the globe, including the Aula Magna at the London Jesuit Centre, as well as in countries such as Ireland, India, Zimbabwe, Mexico, Jakarta, Sydney, Bilbao, and Uruguay.
The play was commissioned by the late Fr Billy Hewitt SJ, championed by Andrew Cameron Mowat SJ, and received support from two Jesuit Provincials. Its performance at the London Jesuit Centre took place during the Ignatian Year (a period of celebration and reflection marking the 500th anniversary of St Ignatius’s conversion and the founding of the Society of Jesus).
Jonathan Moore was inspired to write the play following a retreat at St Beuno’s in Wales in 1985, which introduced him to the transformative power of the Spiritual Exercises.
Encouraged by Fr Billy Hewitt SJ to use Ignatius’ less formal birth name, Inigo, Moore aimed to present the saint as a deeply human and relatable figure. The play portrays Ignatius not as a distant, flawless icon but as a passionate, intense, and profoundly human person — whose journey from worldly ambition and turmoil to spiritual conversion demonstrates that even flawed individuals can aspire to holiness.
INIGO has been widely praised for both its theatrical and educational qualities. Audiences and educators have highlighted its ability to bring Ignatius’s story vividly to life:
“I must say that my students so enjoyed the production; my lead performer was just amazing… A testament to both the excellent script and the enjoyment that my cast and crew took from it!” — Kyla Render, St George’s College, Harare
“Ignatius emerges as such a fascinating character… It is a real work of art that long may live when you and I are gone! Well done.” — Fr Myles O’Reilly SJ, Rector, Gonzaga College, Dublin
Theatre critics have also recognised the play’s creativity, historical insight, and spiritual depth. Susan Elkin of The Stage described it as “thoughtful, engaging and very funny in places… topical and relevant,” while Mark Lawson (former BBC presenter) writes in the foreword to the published play: "Brilliantly written and acted...a great evening of thoughtful and dynamic theatre”.
With performances across multiple continents, INIGO demonstrates the enduring relevance of Ignatius’ life and teachings. Jonathan Moore warmly invites schools and colleges — including in North America and Canada — to stage the play, noting that its power comes from Ignatius himself: “I was just the scribe through which it came. It is therefore bursting with his own enormous, transformative power.”
Jonathan Moore is an award-winning actor, director, and writer whose work spans theatre, opera, television, and film. He has performed leading roles with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Royal Court, Donmar, and BBC TV, and directed world premieres at major venues including the Almeida, Donmar, Covent Garden, and La Fenice in Venice. A published playwright and librettist, his plays have been performed internationally. You can find out more on his website here.
To order the book version of the play visit: https://www.aurorametro.com/product/inigo/. To stage INIGO or adapt it for performance, a licence is required. Please contact John Patrick Murphy at John@jonathanmooreuk.com.
Banner image: Inigo gives Isobel Roser the Spiritual Exercises.
Images courtesy of Jonathan Moore
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