Small Mouth Sounds

Breathe in. Breathe out. Break down.

In the overwhelming tranquillity of nature, six runaways from city life embark on a silent retreat. As these strangers confront internal demons both profound and absurd, their vows of silence collide with their achingly human need to connect. Check-in and chill-out with this wayward group of misfits as they attempt to find their purpose, a little peace and maybe themselves … all without saying a word!

In Small Mouth Sounds, award-winning playwright Bess Wohl crafts “a play unlike any other” (Huffington Post) where silence is mandatory and comedy is inevitable. Awkward glances, suppressed ugly-crying, and the occasional yoga-induced meltdown become a symphony of human relationships.

Featuring a fabulously funny cast directed by comedy doyenne Bridget Boyle and techno-troublemaker Nathan Sibthorpe, in a first for the Bille Brown Theatre: each audience member will be given their own headphones to hear the sublime inside the silence. With audio-immersive intimacy engineered by crack indie collective Counterpilot, you’ll be tuned into every surreptitious whisper, heavy sigh and smothered snort-laugh.

This is storytelling at its most inventive — recognisable, raw and deeply relatable. Filled with insightful humour, this unique and compassionate play asks how we address life’s biggest questions when words fail us.

Praise for Small Mouth Sounds

“It leaves you moved, refreshed and even enlightened.”
— New York Times

"A wonderful, perceptive new play."
— New York Post

“Flawless.”
— Variety

"A quiet gem of a play . . . the sound of silence on stage has rarely made such sweet music."
— New York Times