Our Review
- Amanda Seyfried, Lewis Pullman, Thomasin McKenzie
- February 27th 2026
- 137
- Mona Fastvold
Amanda Seyfried plays Ann Lee, the founder of the Shakers religious movement, in Mona Fastvold’s unusual historical drama.
We’ve seen Amanda Seyfried in musicals like Les Misérables and Mamma Mia! before, but The Testament of Ann Lee is a different kettle of fish entirely.
This historical musical drama, co-written and directed by Mona Fastvold, tells the story of Ann Lee (Seyfried), one of the world’s first female religious leaders.
Set in Manchester in the 18th Century, the story depicts the origins of Lee’s religious fanaticism and shows why she founded her own religious sect, the Shakers.
Lee then decides to leave England and emigrate to upstate New York with her husband Abraham (Christopher Abbott), brother William (Lewis Pullman), niece Nancy (Viola Prettejohn) and longtime follower Mary (Thomasin McKenzie) to recruit more members for their movement.
The Testament of Ann Lee is unusual, bold and ambitious, and you’ve probably never seen anything like it. While you have to respect an audacious swing, it is not a particularly accessible or...
