(photo by Shaun Benson).
Although it is easier and easier to access information as technology develops, it is increasingly difficult to find reliable information. The play Speaking in Tongues is, essentially, about the truth: how we understand the truth, and how we persuade others to believe our own truth.
“Truth is very subjective. What is true to you may not be true to me,” says Belfry Theatre publicist Mark Dusseault.
There are two married couples in Speaking in Tongues. They are both in separate hotel rooms, deciding whether or not they are going to have an affair with another person. In the second act of the play, they meet five new characters. Something mysterious happens, showing us how the characters are brought together as the play progresses.
“The special thing with this play is the way it is structured,” says Dusseault. “In the second act of the play, the four characters meet five other characters. You’re wondering how it’s going to come together and how it all is going to make sense by the end of the play.”
Inevitably, most audience members will tend to empathize with one character and begin to believe his or her version of the truth. As Dusseault says, the truth is different to each of the audience members, depending on their experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives. Dusseault also says that although seeking the truth is very difficult, the audience will be able to approach their own truth by reflecting on characters they relate to.
And the audience will get to that reflection in an interesting way: not only does the play have that special structure, but there’s also an intriguing technique used in the play. Although the four characters recite the same lines at the same time, the words have different meanings and sentiments. The audience’s job is to understand and interpret what each character means.
“The story about telling the truth really comes out as you’re watching,” says Dusseault. “The two couples have been married for a while, and they’re trying to figure out whether or not they should stay married, and what’s important to them in their relationship.”
Speaking in Tongues
January 22—February 24
The Belfry Theatre
belfry.bc.ca