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رودخانه
و روز بعد به رودخانه برگشتم و لباسهایم را درآوردم و در آب شیرجه زدم و به دنبال ماهی گشتم و نتوانستم آن را پیدا کنم اما وقتی بیرون آمدم چیزی در دست داشتم. یک چیز دیگر. یک کابین دورافتاده روی صخرهها، یک زن و مرد و یک شب بدون ماه. رودخانه یک نمایشنامه جدید و جذاب از نویسنده بین المللی اورشلیم است. در اکتبر ۲۰۱۲ در تئاتر رویال کورت لندن به کارگردانی ایان ریکسون به نمایش درآمد. اولین نمایشنامه موجو ژز باترورث در دادگاه سلطنتی افتتاح شد و برنده پنج جایزه از جمله جایزه ایونینگ استاندارد و حلقه منتقدان برای امیدوارترین نمایشنامه نویس و جایزه اولیویه برای بهترین کمدی شد. آخرین نمایشنامه او اورشلیم نیز پیش از طوفان وستاند و برادوی در دادگاه سلطنتی به نمایش درآمد.
72 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
July 24, 2016
“I may bring other women here, to this place, and I may tell them I love them, and make love to them. But they will be impostors. And I will be a ghost. Because it means I will have lost you. My body, my brain, my lungs, my stomach, my guts, legs, arms will be here but I won't be. I will be out there, looking for you. And if we meet somewhere, at a restaurant, or a party and I'm with someone, I want you to know that they are by my side only because you are not. And she will be beautiful. And I will be laughing and smiling and she will be laughing and smiling, but she will be laughing at a lie. Because all I will have done to that person is lie to them. All I will do to anyone else, forever, from this moment forward, anyone who isn't you, is lie. I have no choice.”
December 31, 2014
A man and woman go to his cabin on a river. She catches a fish. They make love. He lies. She leaves.
February 17, 2017
** spoiler alert ** I read this play for my Playwriting class, so read this review with that in mind.
*** READER BEWARE SPOILERS FROM HERE ON IN! ***
This is another piece that tricks you into thinking it meanders... and then it punches you right in the face as the playwright shows you exactly where this is going. A really lovely and poignant story of love, loss, and patterns of pain that are acknowledged, but somehow remain unbroken. I really appreciate that the playwright felt no need to wrap this up with a blow and slap it upside the cheek with a happy ending. The man's journey and fate is very real: his search for love, his failures to find it, and his de-evolution into what his uncle used to be... or is this more of a "to be continued" / "he's still looking for real love" kind of ending?
Not sure, but either way I enjoyed the ambiguity of it all. That in itself was my entry point / human portal into the piece among all the wonderful imagery and mythology. The ambiguousness of life and the weird journey it sends us all on.
What really struck me too were the craft and methods used here: the metaphors with the fish, the Nordic (?) mythology, the poetry and the singing (which I loved), and the emotional realness of the characters. At first blush, the characters feel like Mary Sues and a John Doe, more like avatars for the human experience rather than humans themselves. In some ways this works, and in others, it limits my connection to the characters. In how they represent our emotional and existential struggles, however, the playwright is spot on (imo).
The thing I loved the most about the playwright's craft here, though, is that he plays around with time, continuity, and emotional temporality in an interesting way. Instead of creating a realistic timeline of events, he instead chooses a variety of focal points: the scarlet dress, the reflection in the bowl, the dive into the freezing water. All stark, striking, and tactile images that really activate, engage, and bewitch the senses. As far as plot goes, The River didn't do it for me, but as for the other things that comprise a theatrical experience (especially on the emotional level), I was super engaged and touched by the end.
*** READER BEWARE SPOILERS FROM HERE ON IN! ***
This is another piece that tricks you into thinking it meanders... and then it punches you right in the face as the playwright shows you exactly where this is going. A really lovely and poignant story of love, loss, and patterns of pain that are acknowledged, but somehow remain unbroken. I really appreciate that the playwright felt no need to wrap this up with a blow and slap it upside the cheek with a happy ending. The man's journey and fate is very real: his search for love, his failures to find it, and his de-evolution into what his uncle used to be... or is this more of a "to be continued" / "he's still looking for real love" kind of ending?
Not sure, but either way I enjoyed the ambiguity of it all. That in itself was my entry point / human portal into the piece among all the wonderful imagery and mythology. The ambiguousness of life and the weird journey it sends us all on.
What really struck me too were the craft and methods used here: the metaphors with the fish, the Nordic (?) mythology, the poetry and the singing (which I loved), and the emotional realness of the characters. At first blush, the characters feel like Mary Sues and a John Doe, more like avatars for the human experience rather than humans themselves. In some ways this works, and in others, it limits my connection to the characters. In how they represent our emotional and existential struggles, however, the playwright is spot on (imo).
The thing I loved the most about the playwright's craft here, though, is that he plays around with time, continuity, and emotional temporality in an interesting way. Instead of creating a realistic timeline of events, he instead chooses a variety of focal points: the scarlet dress, the reflection in the bowl, the dive into the freezing water. All stark, striking, and tactile images that really activate, engage, and bewitch the senses. As far as plot goes, The River didn't do it for me, but as for the other things that comprise a theatrical experience (especially on the emotional level), I was super engaged and touched by the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 24, 2020
This has the potential to be quite confusing if one is to just read it and not actually go see the play/see it on stage. Regardless, I thought that it was rather beautiful. It has that almost - English Gothic vibe to it that I really appreciate. Made me feel a bit uncomfortable reading this, but not in a totally bad way. Fully enjoyed it for sure.
February 5, 2024
(I read it for the entrances and exits)
November 6, 2017
Would love to see this performed sometime... chilling dissection of how people repeat patterns of love, over and over, often without realizing it.
11/5/17: I did a second read through, not only because I had enjoyed it the first time, but I have recently read all of Butterworth's OTHER plays, so wanted to put it in context with those (and catch the Pinter-isms also). Must say it not only holds ups well, but does merit a second go-round - almost tempted to raise my rating to a 5.
11/5/17: I did a second read through, not only because I had enjoyed it the first time, but I have recently read all of Butterworth's OTHER plays, so wanted to put it in context with those (and catch the Pinter-isms also). Must say it not only holds ups well, but does merit a second go-round - almost tempted to raise my rating to a 5.
May 9, 2015
This is the first of Butterworth's plays that I have read, and I'm very impressed. Yes, it does feel a little like warmed-over Albee or Pinter, but the writing here is deeply evocative--gorgeous speeches on fishing--and the main character remains just enough of a cypher to have this linger in one's thoughts.
August 5, 2017
Much better when you hear it read aloud. Could be the most boring production ever, or it could be really good. Lots of monologues about fish/fishing.
November 4, 2018
Devastating look at the intangibility of love...
Read
February 11, 2025Was honestly expecting a much darker turn at the end. Characters didn’t really seem to grow or change much at the end, really just the story was unfolding to serve the audience’s journey of learning what the hell’s going on rather than the character changing at all.
Although you could argue the main character was backsliding, but the timeline being both the past/present (potentially future at the end too), tough to make it a definitive point that it’s a story of the character backsliding.
Idk, I enjoyed the snappy dialogue and lengthy monologues to learn something.
Although you could argue the main character was backsliding, but the timeline being both the past/present (potentially future at the end too), tough to make it a definitive point that it’s a story of the character backsliding.
Idk, I enjoyed the snappy dialogue and lengthy monologues to learn something.
August 20, 2020
I'm trying to be as objective as possible here, taking into consideration my general aversion to poetry. This is probably worth 3 stars, though I didn't enjoy it. Jez Butterworth normally writes somewhat realistic dark comedies. Do not expect that here.
November 15, 2022
thank you, my love
November 14, 2023
Teatro. Boa peça.
September 25, 2024
Good, not great. Seems like the theme for the play’s I’ve been reading today
January 27, 2025
men will always lie. ALL THEY DO IS LIE
March 5, 2025
would love to see this live
April 15, 2025
bastante aburrida. la pesca me da igual y dos parejas de potenciales divorciados me dan más igual aún,.
May 25, 2022
this one was not my thing.
February 17, 2017
I read this play for my Playwriting class, so read this review with that in mind.
*** READER BEWARE SPOILERS FROM HERE ON IN! ***
This is another piece that tricks you into thinking it meanders... and then it punches you right in the face as the playwright shows you exactly where this is going. A really lovely and poignant story of love, loss, and patterns of pain that are acknowledged, but somehow remain unbroken. I really appreciate that the playwright felt no need to wrap this up with a blow and slap it upside the cheek with a happy ending. The man's journey and fate is very real: his search for love, his failures to find it, and his de-evolution into what his uncle used to be... or is this more of a "to be continued" / "he's still looking for real love" kind of ending?
Not sure, but either way I enjoyed the ambiguity of it all. That in itself was my entry point / human portal into the piece among all the wonderful imagery and mythology. The ambiguousness of life and the weird journey it sends us all on.
What really struck me too were the craft and methods used here: the metaphors with the fish, the Nordic (?) mythology, the poetry and the singing (which I loved), and the emotional realness of the characters. At first blush, the characters feel like Mary Sues and a John Doe, more like avatars for the human experience rather than humans themselves. In some ways this works, and in others, it limits my connection to the characters. In how they represent our emotional and existential struggles, however, the playwright is spot on (imo).
The thing I loved the most about the playwright's craft here, though, is that he plays around with time, continuity, and emotional temporality in an interesting way. Instead of creating a realistic timeline of events, he instead chooses a variety of focal points: the scarlet dress, the reflection in the bowl, the dive into the freezing water. All stark, striking, and tactile images that really activate, engage, and bewitch the senses. As far as plot goes, The River didn't do it for me, but as for the other things that comprise a theatrical experience (especially on the emotional level), I was super engaged and touched by the end.
*** READER BEWARE SPOILERS FROM HERE ON IN! ***
This is another piece that tricks you into thinking it meanders... and then it punches you right in the face as the playwright shows you exactly where this is going. A really lovely and poignant story of love, loss, and patterns of pain that are acknowledged, but somehow remain unbroken. I really appreciate that the playwright felt no need to wrap this up with a blow and slap it upside the cheek with a happy ending. The man's journey and fate is very real: his search for love, his failures to find it, and his de-evolution into what his uncle used to be... or is this more of a "to be continued" / "he's still looking for real love" kind of ending?
Not sure, but either way I enjoyed the ambiguity of it all. That in itself was my entry point / human portal into the piece among all the wonderful imagery and mythology. The ambiguousness of life and the weird journey it sends us all on.
What really struck me too were the craft and methods used here: the metaphors with the fish, the Nordic (?) mythology, the poetry and the singing (which I loved), and the emotional realness of the characters. At first blush, the characters feel like Mary Sues and a John Doe, more like avatars for the human experience rather than humans themselves. In some ways this works, and in others, it limits my connection to the characters. In how they represent our emotional and existential struggles, however, the playwright is spot on (imo).
The thing I loved the most about the playwright's craft here, though, is that he plays around with time, continuity, and emotional temporality in an interesting way. Instead of creating a realistic timeline of events, he instead chooses a variety of focal points: the scarlet dress, the reflection in the bowl, the dive into the freezing water. All stark, striking, and tactile images that really activate, engage, and bewitch the senses. As far as plot goes, The River didn't do it for me, but as for the other things that comprise a theatrical experience (especially on the emotional level), I was super engaged and touched by the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 3, 2017
What a wonderful, meditative piece. Fascinating. Jez Butterworth proves again what an amazing playwright he is.
September 6, 2017
read again. I saw the original production and was very taken by it at the time, which perhaps reflected my mindset (my original 5 star review was probably of the production rather than the text). Still an interesting work though.
March 26, 2015
Unsettling - but in a good way- think watching the play would help add an emotional layer which would help with drawing a conclusion on its conclusion. Not for anyone who only enjoys linear thinking for this chases its tail again and again... a slippery fish ~
January 23, 2015
Love this tight little troubling play. More kick ass theater from JB.
March 14, 2015
A man, a woman, and another woman, fishing. The women are interchangeable, not unlike Buñuel's Obscure Object of Desire. I imagine that in performance it is more stunning than merely in print.
March 26, 2015
Hard to beat seeing the production at the Royal Court but still good on the page...
April 12, 2015
Saw it on Broadway .. Gripping and intense. Some lines are hauntingly beautiful.
December 24, 2015
A quick read that rewards the reader with a few nice passages but never really amounts to all that much. A thoughtful tale but didn't personally grab me.
January 23, 2025
I'm not sure how I feel about this play. The monologues are a bit writer-y, but it's not a realistic piece. I need a second read.
June 25, 2025
Did not enjoy this
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews