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Don't Drink the Water
Farce / 12m, 4f / Int. A cascade of comedy and a solid hit on Broadway, this affair takes place inside an American embassy behind the Iron Curtain. An American tourist, a caterer by trade, and his wife and daughter rush into the embassy two steps ahead of the police who suspect them of spying and picture taking. It's not much of a refuge, for the ambassador is absent and his son, now in charge, has been expelled from a dozen countries and the continent of Africa. Nevertheless, they carefully
88 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 1967
2 people are currently reading
168 people want to read
About the author
Woody Allen
286 books3,138 followersNoted American actor, screenwriter, and filmmaker Woody Allen, originally Allen Stewart Konigsberg explored the neuroses of the urban middle class in comedies of manners, such as
Annie Hall
(1977) and
Deconstructing Harry
(1997).
This director, jazz musician, and playwright thrice won Academy Award. His large body of work mixes satire, wit and humor in the most respected and prolific cerebral style in the modern era. Allen directs also in the majority of his movies. For inspiration, Allen draws heavily on literature, philosophy, psychology, Judaism, European cinema, and city of New York, where he lives.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woody_A...
This director, jazz musician, and playwright thrice won Academy Award. His large body of work mixes satire, wit and humor in the most respected and prolific cerebral style in the modern era. Allen directs also in the majority of his movies. For inspiration, Allen draws heavily on literature, philosophy, psychology, Judaism, European cinema, and city of New York, where he lives.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woody_A...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
May 1, 2021
چقدر طنز خوبی داشت
February 19, 2022
طنز عالی؛ خالی از اغراق الکی و در عین حال خنده دار. مشخصاً وودی آلنی.
April 1, 2025
I was going to say this was the worst thing Woody Allen has ever done but then I remembered his personal life..
November 3, 2017
Don’t Drink the Water by Woody Allen
Personal Response: I personally thought this play was humorous and made me think about all of the silly jokes. Even though I am a teenager, I understood and enjoyed the jokes. I felt the play would have been more entertaining to watch then to read, like any other play. That way the personalities of each character could be shown and felt. The play itself was very interesting as to how it all unraveled.
Plot: American tourists from Newark, New Jersey were spotted taking pictures of missile sites and rocket installations and were claimed as spies. They entered an American Embassy and sought for shelter and protection. The tourists were Walter and Marion Hollander and their daughter Susan. Little did they know, that the embassy that they have entered was run by the ambassador’s son. The ambassador’s son was Axel Magee. He should have been the last person on earth to run an embassy. He had Brazil importing coffee and was asked to leave Africa, an entire continent, due to his silly ways of dealing with things. His longest time at an American Embassy was only three weeks. When his father left him in charge, things seemed to run smoothly until the Hollander’s ran into the embassy. As the play went on, Axel and Susan developed feelings for each other and many other crazy characters emerged that complicated Axel’s time. The Hollanders had to find a way to legally leave Europe and go back to their home in New Jersey. Their only other option was to stay and try to remain sane at this American Embassy in Europe.
Characterization:
Magee: Magee wasn’t the brightest man and that definitely showed as the storyline continued. He acted as if he had everything under control when in fact he did not. Magee had a huge interest in abstract art which brought him and Susan closer together. As the play continued, it shows he was really that incapable to run an embassy.
Walter: Walter stealed the show with his silly quirks and his love for his job of catering. Walter was a large complainer and argues a lot, especially with his wife Marion. Walter was a loudmouth who wasn’t afraid to speak his mind. His character was definitely a funny one.
Chef: Chef was a crazy fellow, who was equally crazy about his cooking life. He entered throughout the play complaining about soldiers making his cake fall, being unable to find anything for Walter to eat, and the possibility of Marion messing up his spice rack. Chef had a specific way of doing and organizing things: his way. He liked his routine and could not stand it when there was something to disrupt it.
Impacts of Setting: This play took place around the Cold War era. This American Embassy was in a small country somewhere in Eastern Europe. While the Cold War happened in Europe, everyone was on edge and worried about upsetting the government. The Hollanders were accused of being spies by officers since they took pictures of secret war missile sites. This proves that there was uneasiness towards the United States in Europe, not only in the Soviet Union.
Recommendations: I would recommend this story to mature audiences of any gender due to some dark humor, language, and serious topics. This play is best for those over age fifteen. The reading level is high school and up. I recommended high school reading levels instead of a middle school level due to mature scenes and language throughout. I rated this play 4 out of 5 stars. This play would be great to watch and also great to curl up to on a boring day. It is very humorous and entertaining.
Personal Response: I personally thought this play was humorous and made me think about all of the silly jokes. Even though I am a teenager, I understood and enjoyed the jokes. I felt the play would have been more entertaining to watch then to read, like any other play. That way the personalities of each character could be shown and felt. The play itself was very interesting as to how it all unraveled.
Plot: American tourists from Newark, New Jersey were spotted taking pictures of missile sites and rocket installations and were claimed as spies. They entered an American Embassy and sought for shelter and protection. The tourists were Walter and Marion Hollander and their daughter Susan. Little did they know, that the embassy that they have entered was run by the ambassador’s son. The ambassador’s son was Axel Magee. He should have been the last person on earth to run an embassy. He had Brazil importing coffee and was asked to leave Africa, an entire continent, due to his silly ways of dealing with things. His longest time at an American Embassy was only three weeks. When his father left him in charge, things seemed to run smoothly until the Hollander’s ran into the embassy. As the play went on, Axel and Susan developed feelings for each other and many other crazy characters emerged that complicated Axel’s time. The Hollanders had to find a way to legally leave Europe and go back to their home in New Jersey. Their only other option was to stay and try to remain sane at this American Embassy in Europe.
Characterization:
Magee: Magee wasn’t the brightest man and that definitely showed as the storyline continued. He acted as if he had everything under control when in fact he did not. Magee had a huge interest in abstract art which brought him and Susan closer together. As the play continued, it shows he was really that incapable to run an embassy.
Walter: Walter stealed the show with his silly quirks and his love for his job of catering. Walter was a large complainer and argues a lot, especially with his wife Marion. Walter was a loudmouth who wasn’t afraid to speak his mind. His character was definitely a funny one.
Chef: Chef was a crazy fellow, who was equally crazy about his cooking life. He entered throughout the play complaining about soldiers making his cake fall, being unable to find anything for Walter to eat, and the possibility of Marion messing up his spice rack. Chef had a specific way of doing and organizing things: his way. He liked his routine and could not stand it when there was something to disrupt it.
Impacts of Setting: This play took place around the Cold War era. This American Embassy was in a small country somewhere in Eastern Europe. While the Cold War happened in Europe, everyone was on edge and worried about upsetting the government. The Hollanders were accused of being spies by officers since they took pictures of secret war missile sites. This proves that there was uneasiness towards the United States in Europe, not only in the Soviet Union.
Recommendations: I would recommend this story to mature audiences of any gender due to some dark humor, language, and serious topics. This play is best for those over age fifteen. The reading level is high school and up. I recommended high school reading levels instead of a middle school level due to mature scenes and language throughout. I rated this play 4 out of 5 stars. This play would be great to watch and also great to curl up to on a boring day. It is very humorous and entertaining.
July 27, 2021
Boy did I enjoy hating this unfunny piece of crap. It's asinine from the curtain rising. I mean it's Woody Allen, that name should at least guarantee a chuckle. none of this is funny. After reading, I found myself understanding anti-American sentiment. What a load of crap! I mean this celebration of failure fails.
October 24, 2017
Personal Response
I enjoyed this play. Woody Allen is very talented at writing comedy. I like the "one-liners" or "zingers"scattered throughout.
Plot Summary
It starts in a United States embassy inside a fictitious Soviet state. A family of three from Newark, New Jersey seek asylum after taking photos in a restricted area. Word gets out about their "incident," and the secret police come after them. They forge an escape plan, but it gets ruined. Then the ambassador's son cooks up another, which works out in the end.
Recommendation
Since it is written, and takes place in the 60's, some references are outdated. Most of the play could be understood by the adults of today. If one were to come across a term they do not understand, a simple Google search will clear it up. I, a 14 year old, thoroughly enjoyed it, and recommend it to anyone.
I enjoyed this play. Woody Allen is very talented at writing comedy. I like the "one-liners" or "zingers"scattered throughout.
Plot Summary
It starts in a United States embassy inside a fictitious Soviet state. A family of three from Newark, New Jersey seek asylum after taking photos in a restricted area. Word gets out about their "incident," and the secret police come after them. They forge an escape plan, but it gets ruined. Then the ambassador's son cooks up another, which works out in the end.
Recommendation
Since it is written, and takes place in the 60's, some references are outdated. Most of the play could be understood by the adults of today. If one were to come across a term they do not understand, a simple Google search will clear it up. I, a 14 year old, thoroughly enjoyed it, and recommend it to anyone.
November 7, 2017
Personal Response:
Don’t Drink the Water is a hilarious play that anyone could enjoy. It seemed to have everything a person wants in books/plays. With a little bit of action mixed in with some romance, you will not be disappointed. Any part of the play would connect to someone. I never got bored while I read through this play. Even if plays are not normally a reading material for you, I believe you will still enjoy this and will not be mad that you read it.
Plot:
This play opens, and it is in the 1960’s. This play's action all takes place in the American Embassy, which is located in a small Iron Curtain country somewhere in Eastern Europe. This is where the Hollanders will take refuge after they were accused of being spies. The mess only gets bigger the longer the Hollander’s stay. With Axel in charge, nothing was going as planned. With Walters cranky attitude and Marion’s continuous cleaning, it seemed like the perfect recipe for disaster. Susan on the other hand was beginning to like it there, and may have begun to fall in love with Axel. A plan for escape was the only option for the Hollanders. Hoping all will go according to plan, the Hollanders plunge in, fighting for their way to freedom and to get home.
Recommandation:
I would recommend Don’t Drink the Water to high school students and above. This play is full of some humor that younger people would not understand. There are also many scenes with violence, swear words, and mature content. I also do not think that the younger viewers will understand everything that goes on in this play, and may have a hard time following along. Not saying that this will always be the case. As I said before this book has a little bit of action and romance. With this and all the hilarious jokes, this play would be fine for a girl or a boy to watch. I believe that both would equally enjoy this show. Don’t Drink the Water does not seem to have been written for one gender, so both should enjoy.
Characterization:
Axel Magee is the son of the Ambassador who is in charge of the Embassy where everything takes place. Axel has hit a hard spot in his field of work, foreign service, and he always seems to be messing up. Nothing will go his way, and it seems the harder he tries the more he fails. Then when he wants to help Susan and her family get back home, he actually has some good ideas. While he is not always confident with these ideas, we can see that Axel can do something right.
Don’t Drink the Water is a hilarious play that anyone could enjoy. It seemed to have everything a person wants in books/plays. With a little bit of action mixed in with some romance, you will not be disappointed. Any part of the play would connect to someone. I never got bored while I read through this play. Even if plays are not normally a reading material for you, I believe you will still enjoy this and will not be mad that you read it.
Plot:
This play opens, and it is in the 1960’s. This play's action all takes place in the American Embassy, which is located in a small Iron Curtain country somewhere in Eastern Europe. This is where the Hollanders will take refuge after they were accused of being spies. The mess only gets bigger the longer the Hollander’s stay. With Axel in charge, nothing was going as planned. With Walters cranky attitude and Marion’s continuous cleaning, it seemed like the perfect recipe for disaster. Susan on the other hand was beginning to like it there, and may have begun to fall in love with Axel. A plan for escape was the only option for the Hollanders. Hoping all will go according to plan, the Hollanders plunge in, fighting for their way to freedom and to get home.
Recommandation:
I would recommend Don’t Drink the Water to high school students and above. This play is full of some humor that younger people would not understand. There are also many scenes with violence, swear words, and mature content. I also do not think that the younger viewers will understand everything that goes on in this play, and may have a hard time following along. Not saying that this will always be the case. As I said before this book has a little bit of action and romance. With this and all the hilarious jokes, this play would be fine for a girl or a boy to watch. I believe that both would equally enjoy this show. Don’t Drink the Water does not seem to have been written for one gender, so both should enjoy.
Characterization:
Axel Magee is the son of the Ambassador who is in charge of the Embassy where everything takes place. Axel has hit a hard spot in his field of work, foreign service, and he always seems to be messing up. Nothing will go his way, and it seems the harder he tries the more he fails. Then when he wants to help Susan and her family get back home, he actually has some good ideas. While he is not always confident with these ideas, we can see that Axel can do something right.
August 9, 2025
Allen's first play was a big success on Broadway, although he agreed with reviewers that it was a superficial piece that relied on the sheer number of one-liners, the good outweighing the bad. It was a fun night out at a time when "Broadway theatre" was still primarily something New Yorkers went to for entertainment, in an era when the Internet was a fantasy and television was for cheap thrills only.
Adapted into two films, first without much involvement by Allen, and later for television with Allen in the lead and directing, a fairly uninspired effort.
The play still has importance as his first big hit, but it's an example of his innate ability to conjure up funny lines rather than of anything particularly compelling or artistic.
Adapted into two films, first without much involvement by Allen, and later for television with Allen in the lead and directing, a fairly uninspired effort.
The play still has importance as his first big hit, but it's an example of his innate ability to conjure up funny lines rather than of anything particularly compelling or artistic.
June 25, 2019
Very contrived play that is truly a farce with a obvious but surprise ending. A very early work but not one that would be a must read. Of note I think that if it is played it would be much better than read. Not an absolute must read of his Oeuvre...
May 18, 2017
Just plain funny. Why is this not produced anymore? It's funnier than almost any comedy I've read in the last decade.
September 10, 2021
Traduçõ de fugir.
March 2, 2023
Tiene dos estrellitas porque hay frases gloriosas. Y Woody Allen hablando sobre Europa tiene mucha gracia.
March 19, 2023
Representei esta peça. Fazia de padre
February 15, 2025
Se queda corto si conoces al autor y sus películas.
January 19, 2023
1.18.23: Reread tonight at rehearsal. So many brilliant lines I have missed in just listening. We are putting together a great show from this material.
May 26, 2015
A pesar de ser una de las primeras obras de Woody Allen, su humor tan caracter��stico y su crítica tan mordaz está presente desde el principio al final. Podría clasificarse como una obra teatral de enredos, a pesar de la forma en la que se rompe la escenificación con el paso de los días. Sus personajes, aun siendo próximos a una vida lo más real posible, siempre han de enfrentarse a grandes problemas y su existencia se complica a cada escena de la representación. Teniendo 4 personajes principales, sabe exprimirlos y que la acción se centre en ellos sin llegar a cansar; además no teme meter otros de carácter secundario (e incluso terciario) para que la obra nunca llegue a decaer. Muy imprescindible si te gusta la obra de Woody Allen y muy recomendable si aún no conoces mucho de él.
November 2, 2013
A pesar de ser la obra de teatro de Woody Allen, ya se nota ese estilo tan particular que está presente en cada una de sus historias: personajes en conflicto, situaciones de la vida cotidiana llevadas a los extremos, diálogos brillantes y un mensaje siempre interesante.
Este libro asegura un buen momento, lleno de risas y algunas reflexiones. Lo considero una obra maestra del humor teatral.
Este libro asegura un buen momento, lleno de risas y algunas reflexiones. Lo considero una obra maestra del humor teatral.
March 1, 2015
First play I've read by Woody Allen, and it had me laughing every other page. I definitely will want to read more from him again.
I only gave it three stars because I wasn't very inspired by it. I love reading plays that I see myself staging and designing in my head, but I don't think I would ever be jumping at the idea of directing this play or eager to buy tickets to go see it. It is an enjoyable read, however.
I only gave it three stars because I wasn't very inspired by it. I love reading plays that I see myself staging and designing in my head, but I don't think I would ever be jumping at the idea of directing this play or eager to buy tickets to go see it. It is an enjoyable read, however.
March 26, 2012
It’s a very funny play to read. I wonder if it will be a funny and understandable play to produce. It is very much of it's time and place. It’s about a family who go on a tour of Europe and take pictures if installations they should not take in Eastern Europe and wind up holing up in the American Embassy there.
January 13, 2010
American tourist family mistaken for spies takes refuge in local American embassy, which is temporarily under the direction of the ambassador's inept son. Mayhem ensues. Woody Allen before the angst.
May 7, 2014
Fun, early Woody Allen. You can see a lot of his wit in this script. It has an atypical subject and setting which makes it fresh and interesting. Good cast and fun dialogue. It is officially in the running for my next play.
May 23, 2013
We did this play this Spring. It's absolutely hysterical and well written! Plays are meant to be seen and heard, though, not just read. I do suggest going to see the show if you ever have the opportunity!
February 26, 2015
Early Woody Allen play that revolves around an American tourist family in a Soviet Bloc country and the Laugh out loud funny, if a bit too slapstick at times. Has that Allen wit, good for a nice evening read, perhaps with a vodka rocks by your side.
January 31, 2010
some great one-liners in this one --- not as subtle as woody's later short pieces, but laugh-out-loud funny
December 14, 2020
A silly little farce with some good laughs. I'm sure it was funnier on stage than either film version (the more recent one, w/Woody is better).
June 15, 2015
I LIKE THIS MAN
March 6, 2016
Pretty great when writing can make you laugh this hard.
January 13, 2016
Some funny bits. Dated.
September 14, 2016
Enjoyed being in this play.
January 20, 2016
I played the mom in college 1987. Fun yet dippy story. Take with a grain of salt...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews