HELEN Edmundson was captivated when she watched The House of Desires, a farce of love and jealousy performed during the Royal Shakespeare Company's Spanish season.

But even more fascinating was the story of its writer, the 17th century Mexican nun Juana Ines de la Cruz, one of the most remarkable intellectuals of her age.

Edmundson's play picks up Juana's life in 1683. The Sister's comedy has just been acclaimed at the viceroy's court, but is about to be condemned by a new Archbishop, whose zealous bigotry prevents his looking upon a woman for fear of corruption.

"Why should our faith fear knowledge?" she asks him. "Where in the Bible does it say girls cannot be wise?"

"Here is the voice of Satan," he replies. Curiously, on the day Edmundson's play was premiered, the Anglican synod debated a motion to recognise the superior wisdom of male over female bishops.

Catherine McCormack gives an assured performance as Juana – a nun of seemingly unlikely glamour – forced by fear of the Inquisition to renounce her books.

Stephen Boxer is unflinching as the Archbishop, and Raymond Coulthard made one's flesh creep as the white-robed bishop Santa Cruz who exploits women's sensual visions.

The forceful and compelling piece, enlivened by humour and sexual tension, is directed and designed by Nancy Meckler and Katrina Lindsay, the team responsible also for Desires.

All those women – the Archbishop would not have approved.

The play runs until March 9. For tickets, visit the website at www.rsc.org.uk or 0844 800 1110. Colin Davison