Theatre / Reviews
Review: The River, The Alma Tavern and Theatre – ‘A wonderful production of an exceptional play’
Arriving at the Alma Tavern, we see furniture draped in silver fabric whilst a ballad plays overhead. Director Janine Wunsche’s decision to stage Jez Butterworth’s 2012 masterpiece The River is a bold one; Butterworth is arguably England’s finest living Dramatist.
The river-like withdrawal of said silver fabric into and off the corner of the stage quickly reveals that Wunsche – who also serves as set designer – has the skill to deliver smart design as well as a script of sheer brilliance.
The action opens in a rural cabin where The Man (Ciaran Corsar) retreats to fish, drink whisky and seduce women. He is joined by The Woman (Claire Bowman), and we the audience witness what appears to be the tender blossoming of a new and rare intimacy.
When, then, we cut to Corsar frantically reporting to the police a missing woman of Bowman’s description, a creeping dread colours the idyllic cottage. The call proves a false alarm, as the missing woman enters the scene. Except she is different. With the introduction of The Other Woman (Susie Kimnell), The River becomes exceptional. Kimmell assumes the function of Bowman’s character, explains to Corsar that she wandered off, and no mention is made of the switch in characters.
It is at this moment that the themes (and indeed title) of The River are understood. Despite The Man’s insistence to each that they are the first, this cottage has in fact seen many women, all brought there by one unchanging man. The scenes continue to bleed into each other in this way, and the two women swap and pick up the scene where the other left off. They are the water to The Man’s riverbed.
Bowman is brilliant and perfectly cast. The early glee and promise of a new relationship turn expertly to dread as past women are discovered, and lies are unearthed. With all its attendant isolation and within the wider context of male violence towards women, the rural setting serves as a constantly threatening and simmering backdrop.
Kimnell enters, high on cannabis; a looser and perhaps less naive character. She brings a warmth and charm to the play which is perfectly pitched against the sudden unease provided by her very existence, exposing The Man as a liar.
As the only constant, Corsar has a challenging role. He is exceptional. The Man is a passionate and sinister figure, obsessive about poetry and fishing etiquette. This exacting presence, with its corollary rage, is played superbly by Corsar.
The very end of the play sees the smaller but important role of Another Woman played by Ren Sinclair, who is also the stage manager and set assistant. Sinclair completes the play adroitly, delivering the final grim confirmation of the story we are being told.
Ellian Showering and Kris Williams, composer and sound designer respectively, also deserve great credit. The music and sound design is deeply eerie and unnerving.
This is a wonderful production of a brilliant play, and a complete pleasure to watch.
The River by Jez Butterworth is at the Alma Tavern and Theatre on November 18-22 at 8pm. Tickets are available at www.tickettailor.com.
All photos: Jordan Davies
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