Difference between revisions of "A Walk in the Woods (2012)"

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== Introduction ==
 
== Introduction ==
  
Set during the late Cold War period of the mid 1980s, this play follows the informal conversations of two nuclear arms negotiators – one American, the other Soviet – whilst they take a walk in the woods away from the table. The American is new to the job and has an optimism and enthusiasm that he can make a difference; on the other hand the Russian has been in the job many years and has grown cynical about how much they can achieve.
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The place is a “pleasant woods on the outskirts of Geneva” and the time is the late Cold War period of the mid 1980s, where two nuclear arms negotiators, a Russian and an American, meet informally after long frustrating hours at the bargaining table. Andrey Botvinnik, the Russian, who has been in the job many years and has mastered the Soviet “hard line”, is profoundly cynical about how much they can really achieve. Joan Honeyman, the American, is new to the job and is a bit stuffy and pedantic in her idealism, but has an optimism and enthusiasm that she can make a real difference through perseverance and honesty.
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The play is set in four scenes over the four seasons, and as they get to know each other better their relationship improves from an initially awkward start.  Both characters are on stage throughout and should be a rewarding challenge for any actor.
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Their conversations continue as the talks drag on and the seasons change, during which a proposal for an arms reduction is made and later fails.  Through their absorbing and revealing conversations, we become aware both of the deepening understanding between them and also of the profound frustration which they increasingly feel as they struggle to, as Honeyman says, “prevent the total destruction of every living thing on this planet.”
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This play premiered at the Yale Repertory Theatre in 1987 before moving to the Booth Theatre, Broadway, New York City in 1988.
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As the seasons change we become aware of both their deepening understanding and frustration with the bargaining process, knowing that no changes will come about as long as the real power rests in the hands of those burdened by the bitterness of the past.
 +
 
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This play premiered at the Yale Repertory Theatre in 1987 before moving to the Booth Theatre, Broadway, New York City in 1988. It is also notable for being the play in which Alec Guinness made his last stage performance at the Comedy Theatre in 1989.
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== Cast ==
 
== Cast ==
  
John Honeyman – the American. He takes this new job very seriously. Full of plans and ideas that he thinks will work, this naivety is shown by his idealism and optimism.  Playing age, 35 to 45.
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John Honeyman – [[Caroline Doyle]]
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Andrey Botvinnik – [[Peter Medd]]
Andrei Botvinnik – the Russian. He has been doing this job for many years and has grown cynical about what he is really there to do. He is a bit of a joker and his sarcasm is, at first, lost on Honeyman. Playing age, 50+
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== Crew ==
 
== Crew ==
  
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Stage Manager - [[Deirdre Parkes]]
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Lighting Design - [[Charles Doyle]]
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Lighting and Sound Operation - [[Sarah Farage]]
  
 
== Reviews ==
 
== Reviews ==

Revision as of 08:46, 25 April 2012

[[Image:|thumb|300px|Poster by [[]]]]

by Lee Blessing

Directed by Mark Davies

Performances: 8pm, Tue 15th - Sat 19th of May 2012, Prompt Corner

Auditions: Wed 18th, Thurs 19th, Sun 22nd January 2012 (with a possible further date for call-backs)

Introduction

The place is a “pleasant woods on the outskirts of Geneva” and the time is the late Cold War period of the mid 1980s, where two nuclear arms negotiators, a Russian and an American, meet informally after long frustrating hours at the bargaining table. Andrey Botvinnik, the Russian, who has been in the job many years and has mastered the Soviet “hard line”, is profoundly cynical about how much they can really achieve. Joan Honeyman, the American, is new to the job and is a bit stuffy and pedantic in her idealism, but has an optimism and enthusiasm that she can make a real difference through perseverance and honesty.

Their conversations continue as the talks drag on and the seasons change, during which a proposal for an arms reduction is made and later fails. Through their absorbing and revealing conversations, we become aware both of the deepening understanding between them and also of the profound frustration which they increasingly feel as they struggle to, as Honeyman says, “prevent the total destruction of every living thing on this planet.”

As the seasons change we become aware of both their deepening understanding and frustration with the bargaining process, knowing that no changes will come about as long as the real power rests in the hands of those burdened by the bitterness of the past.

This play premiered at the Yale Repertory Theatre in 1987 before moving to the Booth Theatre, Broadway, New York City in 1988. It is also notable for being the play in which Alec Guinness made his last stage performance at the Comedy Theatre in 1989.


Cast

John Honeyman – Caroline Doyle Andrey Botvinnik – Peter Medd

Crew

Stage Manager - Deirdre Parkes Lighting Design - Charles Doyle Lighting and Sound Operation - Sarah Farage

Reviews

Some review quotes go here


Gallery

Reminiscences and Anecdotes

See Also

References

<references/>

External Links