The Upcoming
  • Cinema & Tv
    • Movie reviews
    • Film festivals
      • Berlin
      • Tribeca
      • Sundance London
      • Cannes
      • Locarno
      • Venice
      • London
      • Toronto
    • Show reviews
  • Music
    • Live music
  • Food & Drinks
    • News & Features
    • Restaurant & bar reviews
    • Interviews & Recipes
  • Theatre
  • Art
  • Travel & Lifestyle
  • Literature
  • Fashion & Beauty
    • Accessories
    • Beauty
    • News & Features
    • Shopping & Trends
    • Tips & How-tos
    • Fashion weeks
      • London Fashion Week
      • London Fashion Week Men’s
      • New York Fashion Week
      • Milan Fashion Week
      • Paris Fashion Week
      • Haute Couture
  • Join us
    • Editorial unit
    • Our writers
    • Join the team
    • Join the mailing list
    • Support us
    • Contact us
  • Competitions
  • Facebook

  • Twitter

  • Instagram

  • YouTube

  • RSS

CultureTheatre

The Busy World Is Hushed at Finborough Theatre

The Busy World Is Hushed at Finborough Theatre | Theatre review
3 November 2017
Kari Megeed
Avatar
Kari Megeed
3 November 2017

In its European debut, The Busy World Is Hushed brings the intensity of a deep, inconsolable sadness to an intimate stage no larger than a bedroom. A story of love lost, unbearable grief, faith and religion, this play is a riveting take on the raw relationship between a mother and son who are desperately seeking neutral ground on which to stand.

With topics such as faith and the burgeoning affection between two men, one would expect this story to contemplate forbidden love and reconciling with religion. In a refreshing take by American playwright Keith Bunin, The Busy World Is Hushed effortlessly integrates complex emotional conflicts into a real, modern age without focusing on sexuality or trivial details. In fact, homosexuality is mentioned only two or three times throughout the duration of the two-hour play, an uplifting volte-face from typical works that feature LGBT characters.

Set against a backdrop of glowing stained church windows, the pie begins with Hanna (Kazia Pelka), an Episcopalian minister, widowed mother, and faithful Bible scholar as she begins seeking out the words of Jesus from a recently discovered gospel. Adamant on her beliefs, she finds herself at odds with her 26-year-old son Thomas (Michael James), a free spirit who has just returned from one of his many trips in the wilderness.

Brandt, a polished intellectual who joins the pair after Hannah hires him as a ghost-writer, is immediately immersed in the family’s drama. He, however, is fighting demons of his own as his father’s health deteriorates slowly throughout the following months.

With a small cast of only three characters, the burden of the entire play, including subtle set changes, is on the shoulders of each actor, and they execute it remarkably well. Kazia’s strong voice gives the audience the theatrical experience they crave, whilst the intensity beaming off of James and the warm affection that develops between Thomas and Brandt captivates the room.

Drama was in the air at the Finborough Theatre Thursday evening, and not just on stage. One notable incident, a fainting spell that compelled a member of the audience, put the actors to test. Theatre aficionados will understand that live acting is hard enough, but having to perform on such a small, intimate stage makes it exceptionally difficult. The fact that the actors recovered beautifully and flawlessly persisted after the short disruption had undeniably earned them the respect of everyone in the room.

The actors are excellent, the venue provides for a fully-immersive experience, and the story is exquisite and well-executed. A modern play set in a timeless world where one would never expect the likes of Facebook or Twitter to exist makes this off-West End production an absolute must-see.

★★★★★

Kari Megeed
Photo: Scott Rylander

The Busy World Is Hushed is at Finborough Theatre from 6th October until 25th November 2017. For further information or to book tickets visit the Finborough Theatre website here.

Watch the trailer for The Busy World is Hushed here:

Related Itemsreview

More in Theatre

The End of the Night at Original Theatre Online

★★★★★
Mae Trumata
Read More

The Throne at Charing Cross Theatre

★★★★★
James Humphrey
Read More

Flamenco Festival 2022 at Sadler’s Wells

★★★★★
Jessica Wall
Read More

Beauty and the Beast: The Musical at London Palladium

★★★★★
Cristiana Ferrauti
Read More

National Theatre’s Connections Festival 2022 showcases young theatre talent across the UK

Sophia Moss
Read More

Evelyn at Southwark Playhouse

★★★★★
Jim Compton-Hall
Read More

Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World at Theatre Royal Stratford East

★★★★★
Natallia Pearmain
Read More

King Lear at Shakespeare’s Globe

★★★★★
Michael Higgs
Read More

This Is Not Who I Am/Rapture at the Royal Court Theatre

★★★★★
Jessica Wall
Read More
Scroll for more
Tap

Theatre review

Kari Megeed

The Busy World Is Hushed

★★★★★

Dates

6th October - 25th November 2017

Price

£10-£18

Links & directions

TwitterInstagramFacebookWebsiteMap

  • Popular

  • Latest

  • TOP PICKS

  • Paolo Nutini – Last Night in the Bittersweet
    ★★★★★
    Album review
  • Beauty and the Beast: The Musical at London Palladium
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Brian and Charles
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • The Railway Children Return
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • Viagra Boys – Cave World
    ★★★★★
    Album review
  • Black Bird
    ★★★★★
    apple
  • The End of the Night at Original Theatre Online
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • The Throne at Charing Cross Theatre
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • “We really wanted to create a cabbage gun”: An interview with David Earl and Chris Hayward stars of Brian and Charles
    Cinema & Tv
  • Flamenco Festival 2022 at Sadler’s Wells
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Black Bird
    ★★★★★
    apple
  • Paolo Nutini – Last Night in the Bittersweet
    ★★★★★
    Album review
  • Viagra Boys – Cave World
    ★★★★★
    Album review
  • The Railway Children Return
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • Adele lights up Hyde Park for BST Festival
    ★★★★★
    Live music
The Upcoming
Pages
  • Contact us
  • Join mailing list
  • Join us
  • Our London food map
  • Our writers
  • Support us
  • What, when, why
With the support from:
International driving license

Copyright © 2011-2020 FL Media

Foy Vance at Union Chapel | Live review
Ugly Chief at Battersea Arts Centre | Theatre review