The Ensemble Theatre continues its high standard with its new play, American playwright Keith Bunin’s play, ‘The Busy World Is Hushed’, directed by Mark Kilmurry.
The play’s title is referenced in a prayer composed by Cardinal John Henry Newman. ‘May He support us all the day long, till the shades lengthen and the evening comes and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over and our work is done’.
The main character is Anglican Episcopal Minister Hannah played by Vanessa Downing. Hannah is writing a new religious text and she is and has recruited a young gay guy, Brandt (Matthew Moore), to help who put the book together. Their meetings are regularly interupted by Hannah’s wayward and troubled son, Thomas(Lee Jones).
‘The Busy World is Hushed’ was a fascinating play and it was oh so beautifully written by American playwright, Keith Bunin. The play started off at a deceptively slow pace and then built up to a well realised climax.
All three characters were fascinating, and their struggles engaging. Hanjah was a deeply religious woman who was very critical of conventional Christian religion. Brandt, a bright, sensitive, gay man was dealing with his father dying. Thomas was the proverbial lost son, trekking everywhere, and with big issues with his mother. The conflict in the mother and son relationship is one of the core issues of the play.
There were fine performances by each of the three actors. Lee Jones gave a really intense, passionate , heartfely performance as Thomas. Great stuff! One of my favourite actresses Vanessa Downing was very convincing as Hannah, a sensitive, confident, articulate woman.
