język polskijęzyk angielski

Bruno the Carthusian

Female cast
Male cast
Original language of the play
Original title
Brunon Kartuz – w stronę ciszy

A radio play

Set in early medieval ages, the play by Tomasz Klibengajtis ponders the problem of ethical compromise and points at the danger which is always connected with holding some kind of power. Three main characters embody three different approaches towards the matter. Pope Urban the 2nd represents a pragmatic attitude: he tries to find balance between good and evil; he hopes that by tolerating some examples of misbehaviour it is possible to secure initial goodness. The cynical Manasses de Gournay, a bishop, plays with power and revenge. At the other extreme there’s Bruno the Carthusian who seeks consolation in silent retreat. 
The framework of the play is based on the biography of Bruno Carthus, introduced as a bright professor of theology in Reims. He is tired with career making and politics. At the background there are three choirs of commentators: the choir of cynics, of pragmatics and of idealistic minds. Then we witness the conflict between Bruno and the bishop Manasses de Gournay. During the meeting at Clermont Bruno uncovers and speaks out in public the bishop’s misdeeds of bribing the members of the cathedral council. The bishop is dismissed and plans a revenge. The doubts and fears push Bruno and his followers to establish the first Carthusia. The next scene shows Bruno in Rome, at the court of Pope Urban the 2nd. The Pope – Bruno’s former disciple, has given him an important position in his circle. Holding a high rank in the Church and the membership of Roman Catholic Council, Bruno sees that he is forced to take part in endeavours which have nothing to do with sincere spiritual development. Therefore, he asks the Pope to release him from his official duties. He begs for permission to go back to Carthusia but instead he is sent away to Calabria, the land taken from Muslims, to establish a new Carthusia there. Bruno agrees and goes into the silent retreat again.