Walden

by Amy Berryman

It’s ridiculous – we’re investing in this place light years away that we don’t even know if our species can survive on –

After returning from a year-long Moon mission, Cassie, a NASA botanist, finds herself in a remote cabin in the woods, where her estranged twin sister, Stella, a former NASA architect, has found a new life with climate activist Bryan. Old wounds resurface as the sisters attempt to pick up the pieces of the rivalry that broke them apart.

Walden by Amy Berryman premieres at the Harold Pinter Theatre, London, in May 2021, as part of the season.

Genres: Plays, Poetry Plays

90 pages, Paperback

Published January 11, 2022

Reviews

[Ava ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads."

(5 ⋆) Amy Berryman's Walden stunningly blends descriptive dialogue with the dystopia of climate apocalypse politics. If it wasn't the gruesomely painful dynamic of our story's sisters keeping my eyes glued to the page, it was the gruesomely painful exploration of what our future is very likely to hold. I was nervous that, given the length, the ending would go unresolved, but I was pleasantly surprised to know there was hope for the sisters- and, perhaps, hope for society. A delightful (albeit heavy) play about the string between our climate crisis and the importance of human connection.

[Moriah · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has been so long since I have read anything in one sitting, but this play just sucked me in and I had to know where it would end up. A gut punch of emotions between twin sisters and the choices they made that have lead them to where they are in life and if they are living their true purpose. Choices within this play are conversations I feel are in the very near future, very nearer than we believe. That's for sure. Truly amazed by this piece of emotional beautiful art.

[caitlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

did a scene from this for class. wow hello new favorite play. changed my mind about being in a sci fi play/sci fi as a play genre in general. amy berryman i want to write like you.

[Audrey Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This play still rings in my head every once in a while because the premise is simple, but Amy uses the current climate crisis in a dystopian future to deal with siblings being siblings.

[Devyn Itula · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need everyone to read this play now because it is the most beautiful, intimate, & spell binding piece I’ve read in so long.

[Jonathan May · Rating 5 out of 5]

bittersweet and perfectly sparse — siblings are tricky, and this play, using an elegant conceit, examines a “why”

[IReadPlays · Rating 5 out of 5]

“We don’t eat printed food.”
~
Dystopian angst and NASA dialogue… delicious. I loved the Stella’s character especially and watching her struggle between her passions for the moon and deep rooted desire for a life on earth… definitely similar vibes to Severance or The Last of Us.

Is life in space not too far off? Read this one for sure!

-The time is the not-so-distant future, as Berryman describes, and honestly left me feeling a bit unsettled considering the current state of our own climate crisis. 👀
-Earth is no longer able to support the human race and NASA scientists decide to go to the moon with the hope of making it livable for the human race.
-You can imagine that there are several differing opinions on how to proceed…save earth or pack it up and move away? twin sisters Cassie (current NASA employee) and Stella (an ex NASA employee also engaged to an “Earth Advocate”) are grappling with their disagreements while also being reunited after several years estranged.

[Elly Gaskell · Rating 5 out of 5]

read this throughout a couple days for my acting 4 class and wow, this was just beautiful. so much nuance and subtext that made the characters so grey and complex. as a woman, the grief and betrayal of not having control over your own body (especially when the twin version of you doesn’t have the same issues) was particularly relatable and devastating. also super relevant to the state of our world… scary times.

[Ellis Clay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damn I hope she went to Mars though

[Jess Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love a dystopia, this one doesn't seem unrealistic or un-hopeful.

[Jean Jensen Rowley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I could see the play. Very good!

[Kit Gladieux · Rating 5 out of 5]

i NEEEEEED to see this performed live

[Isabel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m biased because the topic hits home

[Julie Naser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I love the struggle between the sisters, the real life of it all, that it’s not all sunshine and rainbows, especially when your beliefs can have some similarities yet be so different based on life experiences. I love that the author lets the reader chose how the story continues on!

[kristen tan · Rating 3 out of 5]

read for mccarter
i liked it but i am not feeling the desire to see it produced idk why

marked as read multiple times to count for unpublished scripts ive read (4)
magic valley community theatre’s little women
fountain
ball change
penelope