17/05/2026
The "thing" that hit me first was the blank silence. In darkness, in total silence at first, broken by waves of woven tidal waves and the almost forgotten whine of an AM station being cajoled into life.
Then he shows, a bundle of frenetic energy chatting with a calm alter ego who is clearly a calming variance with the chaos the protagonist carries so effortlessly.
All is punctured by sudden whistles of water dripping violently, wind chimes that are out of tune and scattered gunfire and the sudden conflagration of inexplicable violence to the love of his life.
Understanding mental health is a preserve of the few. Medically, it is caused by an imbalance of hormones and brain chemicals buttressed by genetic and environmental factors.
This causes the victim to have delusions, very disorganised behaviour and speech.
In the Seashell hum, a play showing at the National Theatre this weekend, is a play about Mental Health.
I've been to many plays. About the banal, usually comedic bedroom escapades or serious political satire both designed to give a mirror to a society that needs to rethink itself.
Never had I been to theatre so visceral. It was confusing at first, then winding. The kind of winding that sets you up for some body blows that you didn't see coming. Ultimately, I left with a deep empathy for anyone who has gone through Mental illness as a victim.
During my time in Senate, we passed the Mental Health Amendment Act 2022, a milestone Act that changed how we all view Mental illness.
After watching "In the seashell hum", I have a healthier understanding of what it feels to be both a sufferer of the disease and what loved ones around the patient go through.
Go get punched in the face by this play. Come out feeling deep empathy deep in your bones. A heartfelt thank you to the entire crew that made the play happen.
Winning the Mental Health war, one step at a time.
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