The story of Joan of Arc has fascinated authors for many years with good reason. A young, uneducated peasant girl claims to hear voices inspiring her to lead an army in a successful battle against the invading British only to be tried as a witch and burned at the stake as a heretic.

French playwright Jean Anouilh wrote his stage adaptation of the trial of Joan of Arc in the early 1950s that further fuelled the legend.

American writer Lillian Hellman, who had just endured her own trial fighting the Hollywood witch hunts lead by Senator Joe McCarthy was naturally attracted to Anouilh's play and secured permission to translate it for North American audiences. The play became The Lark and it is currently the final offering this season by Stage Centre Productions at Fairview Library Theatre.

Historic dramas such as this have gone out of fashion with modern playwrights, but audiences continue to be fascinated by the chance to witness history on stage.

At the reviewed performance the audience gave the play a spontaneous and well-earned standing ovation at the final curtain call. Not only is this an engrossing play, the production features a riveting performance by Amber Steinman as Joan.

Steinman never wavers in her portrayal of Joan, ultimately forced to confess to a crime she truly believes she did not commit.

Though the character can never quite explain what it is that inspires her, she pursues her cause with a single-minded determination that ultimately leads to her fiery death.

As Joan led the army into battle, Steinman leads a large cast through a series of powerful scenes re-enacting the trial and showing some of her back-story as well.

The central character remains an enigma. Anouilh himself admitted that his play does not delve into the mystery of Joan, arguing that "you can't explain her." Nevertheless the play is both vivid and challenging.

Director L. Garth Allen has given the production an epic feel and it is to the credit of all involved that even the smallest roles are played with passion.

Of the featured performers, Will van der Zyl is properly petulant as Charles The Dauphin, both fascinated and awed by Joan.

Edward Karek's Inquisitor is menacing yet avoids caricature in a role that is not that subtly drawn by the authors.

Brian Squitti as the Earl of Warwick, and J.B. Pierre Rajotte as Cauchon, the Bishop of Beauvis, also give commanding performances.

The trial scenes are impressively staged, thanks largely to the effective use of the playing area and the dazzling costumes.

Even the choral music created for the original Broadway production by Leonard Bernstein is used, lending an air of authenticity to the proceedings.

The Lark, subtitled The Trial of Joan of Arc, is being presented by Stage Centre Productions at Fairview Library Theatre until June 4. Evening performances are at 8 p.m. with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday May 29. Tickets are $25 and may be reserved by calling 416-299-5557.