Jez Butterworth’s The River Comes to Bristol Theatre
International director brings “bewitching” play to Alma Tavern Theatre
Jez Butterworth’s haunting and enigmatic play The River, is being brought to the Bristol stage for a limited run this year.
The River originally premiered upstairs at the Royal Court Theatre in 2011. It was lauded for its lyricism and described as “bewitching”.
In both London and Broadway productions the play has attracted actors such acting greats as Cush Jumbo, Dominic West, Paul McGann and Laura Donnelly.
A man brings his new girlfriend to a remote family cabin. It’s a moonless summer night when the sea trout are read to run. He’s used it as a base for fly-fishing since he was a boy. She is not the only woman he has brought to the isolated location. Or the last.
The Alma Tavern Theatre auditorium makes it the perfect venue for the show, capturing the same intimacy as the original production.
The cast is small in number but mighty in experience. It features Bristol acting stalwart and Misplaced Theatre producer Ciaran Corsar as The Man.
Two Bristol based actors and both graduates from the Oxford School of Drama – Susie Kimnell and Claire
Bowman – will play The Woman and The Other Woman.
Ren Sinclair makes up the cast. Ren moved from the West Coast of Canada to train at Circomedia and Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.
International director Janine Wunsche takes the helm for the play. Janine is new to Bristol having travelled the world and subsequently the UK directing both theatre and opera. In recent years, this has included productions at the West Yorkshire Playhouse, Theatre Clwyd, Sheffield Crucible, Salisbury Playhouse and theatres in London.
Jez Butterworth’s The River will be at the Alma Tavern Theatre from 18-22 November. 2025
For more information or to book, visit: almatavernandtheatre.co.uk
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