Review: The River at Royal Court Theatre

Review: The River at Royal Court Theatre

29 October, 2012
by: Naima Khan

The hotly anticipated new play from Jez Butterworth is disctinctively lyrical and beautifully eloquent but lacks originality.

There is a quietness to the simple themes that Jez Butterworth explores in The River that makes it all the more heartbreaking. The language is heightened, the set is alluring and the lighting is warm and expansive. However, beyond Butterworth's depiction of a man and his mystical river, overflowing with biting sea trout and his own sentimental take on love, there is a dark picture of a deluded liar. The romantics will be heartbroken and the cynics will wish they could put it so eloquently. 

In a simple, rural kitchen we meet Dominic West's character as he tries desperately to convince new girlfriend (Miranda Raison) to come fishing with him. What follow are a series of deceptive moves: some that are kind, some that are well-intentioned but many that are just plain deceitful. For the hopeful, it's a cruel journey that Butterworth leads us on. But he does it with beautiful, long, lyrical descriptions of love and let-downs making this a surprisingly delicate play. 

However, as events play out we're introduced to a sprightly Laura Donnelly, 'the other woman' who shatters any belief in the love he talks about with Raison. Though a great performer, Donnelly lacks any chemistry with West; the characters start to seem functional and the depictions of obsession and romance become too classical (it's not long before the dark-haired woman dons a sexy red dress).

Director Ian Rickson also misses a trick with the text Butterworth has given him. The wonderful lyrical quality of this piece, which is so poetic the words aren't content to lay stagnant on a page, means it calls for more energy in its delivery which neither Raison, Donnelly nor West bring to the stage. West is stoic and manly, Raison hopeful and vulnerable and Donnelly excitable and brave. But as much of the interaction between these three people in their cabin involves little more than observation anyway, the audience could be engaged with much more. 

As it is, the play's passion comes across as something more quiet, simmering and conventional, it doesn't burst forth as I hoped it might. This could reflect a more realistic take on relationships which do build up and flutter out despite protestations of an all consuming love. Ultimately, although The River is full of superb writing, it exemplifies Butterworth's thoughtful poetry but skimps on originality. 

The River runs at Royal Court until 17th November

Image by John Haynes

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Red Velvet at Tricycle Theatre
Review: Hedda Gabler at The Old Vic

Naima Khan