NEW YORK—Playwright Jez Butterworth takes the audience through one man’s Möbius strip of a life in his involving story The River, now at Broadway’s Circle in the Square Theatre.
The Man (Hugh Jackman) invites his new girlfriend (Cush Jumbo) to his cabin, located on a cliff above a river, for a getaway that includes a bit of romance and lots of fishing. Fishing is not simply a pastime for The Man, but more a fervent religion.
He’s spent hours teaching The Woman how to cast a line, tie a knot, and choose the best lures to use. It’s not long before the two get into a tiff over priorities. She is more interested in watching the sunset, while he’s more concerned about fishing preparations—particularly since sea trout will be running on this quiet moonless night.
When The Man comes back from his fishing expedition, he immediately calls the police in panic. The woman who went with him has vanished in the dark. Fortunately, his concern is allayed moments later when he hears her calling to him. However, when the owner of the voice comes into view, it belongs to a completely different woman (Laura Donnelly) than the one seen moments before.
