Speaking in Tongues: A Powerful Study of Human Fallibility and Morality

Events from nine lives interconnect and overlap in a network of interwoven threads that meet and are drawn together throughout Andrew Bovell’s play Speaking in Tongues. Complex in plot and structure, the play is a powerful study of love, marriage, infidelity and betrayal; it demonstrates the connection – and disconnection – between individuals, partners and communities. Speaking in Tongues is an intriguing examination of the choices we make in relationships and the rippling repercussions of those choices.

Core Themes and Narrative Structure

The play is about marital infidelity, told through multiple narratives – and there’s even a mystery to solve. The play tackles themes of love, deceit, sex and death. Contracts are broken between intimates and powerful bonds are formed between strangers. It begins with two couples – Pete is married to Jane, Leon is married to Sonja – who, by chance, unknowingly swap partners in a one-night stand. Pete and Sonja resist the one-night stand, while Leon and Jane do not. Questions are posed: Can a marriage survive this? Is the intention to cheat the same as actually going through with it?

And there are other important threads in this multi narrative structure: a lonely man, Neil, pines for the love of his life – Sarah who moved on decades ago. Valerie goes missing and her stiletto was last seen in Nick’s car – he becomes the prime suspect. Love, marriage, infidelity and betrayal are all explored in this tense, electrifying play about the relationships between lovers, friends and strangers, and the infinite ways people may wound one another. But it’s not all bleak, as Bovell treats his material with subtlety, humour and, importantly, compassion.

The Playwright’s Perspective on Human Nature

Andrew Bovell provides deep insight into the moral dilemmas presented in the script. Bovell writes about his play: “Speaking in Tongues reveals something about the moral weakness to which we are all susceptible simply by virtue of being human.” He further adds, “I really just set out to tell a compelling and haunting story about human fallibility.”

History and Performance Context

Andrew Bovell’s ‘Speaking in Tongues’ was first performed in August 1996 at the SBW Stables Theatre, winning the AWGIE (annual award by the Australian Writers’ Guild) for best play that year. This play was the basis for Bovell’s multi AFI award winning film ‘Lantana’. Recent productions continue to showcase its relevance, such as the presentation by ACT Hub at Causeway Hall and the production by indie theatre company Ad Astra.

The following table outlines key historical and production details for the play:

Key Information	Details
Playwright	Andrew Bovell
Premiere Date	August 1996
Award	AWGIE for best play (1996)
Film Adaptation	Lantana (Winner of multiple AFI/AACTA Awards)
Key Themes	Love, deceit, sex, death, and human fallibility

Performance Dynamics

The play features a unique structure where the dialogue intersects and overlaps, playing out like a theatrical tennis match. At times, characters speak in unison from different rooms, creating an effect that is unique and compelling to watch. The web of characters expands with the cast taking on completely different roles, ensuring the plot twists and turns are always intriguing. Their performances find the comedic moments, which in life, often spring from the most dramatic situations.