20 years ago, 9/11 changed the world. Globally, it precipitated bloody wars and conflict that endure today – events that have shaped our lives and the world we live in. The world premiere of The Duration by Bruce Graham commemorates the 20th anniversary of this devastating attack and explores its legacy, examining the corrosive and divisive impact that hate can have on society.
For the United States, the collective grief generated by 9/11 had a profound impact on the nation’s psyche. The Duration follows the story of a mother and daughter, both liberal American academics, who experienced a huge loss. It considers different responses to grief, in particular how this mother is radically changed by her bereavement – she buys a gun and heads for the hills.
Bruce Graham surveys the impact of 9/11 on families alongside the premise that America may not have come to terms with its collective grief, resulting in an unresolved anger that helped ferment extremist politics in the US. The Duration demonstrates the fall out – for individuals and a nation – when that anger festers while also offering a hopeful way forward.
“Graham’s characters are rounded and real, his treatment delicate and nuanced, funny and insightful,” says director, Jelena Budimir. “At All Ignite Theatre, we choose plays that highlight the complexity of the world we live in. The Duration will be a great opportunity to debate how 9/11 changed the world, and encourage discussion about how we can survive extreme events without letting them define us. I think the play’s message of hope will promote conversations about healing and survival.”
The Duration is at Omnibus Theatre 7th to 26th September 2021.
