On and Off Broadway

'The River'

A Review by Elyse Trevers

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Stars sell tickets, and Hugh Jackman is one of the hottest stars around. In a departure from the song and dance roles to which audiences have become accustomed, Jackman stars in The River, an 85-minute play by Jez Butterworth (Jerusalem) He’s performing to sold-out audiences at the intimate Circle in the Square Theater.

The drama is beautifully written, lyrical and intelligent. On the surface, the play appears to about a couple who go to The Man’s cabin to go fishing. Yet the story is about much more. Jackman plays The Man who is as enamored of fishing as he is of his lover. Cush Jumbo plays The Woman and Laura Donnelly plays The Other Woman. The Man brings his girlfriend to the cabin for the first time to share his passion for fishing. The deserted cabin lends itself to intimacy and romance. Yet at various times, the somber mood almost makes one fear for the safety of The Woman (and then later The Other Woman.

The Man waxes poetic about fly fishing on a moonless night. Fishing is more spiritual and meaningful to him than is the beautiful sunset. Butterworth even quotes modern and classic poets to describe the sport. The theatrical device the playwright uses is intriguing, but The River isn’t enough to maintain one’s attention solely on its own merit, which is sad since Jerusalem is such a marvelously complex and interesting play. Despite its brevity, The River doesn’t sustain interest (unless of course, you are really into fishing.)


However, many in the audience were there solely for Jackman who gives a nuanced and thoughtful performance. He’s manly, introspective and slightly threatening, yet vulnerable at the same time. After a lengthy monologue on catching his first fish, one wonders if he’s describing a love affair or a fishing exploit.

Circle in the Square is an intimate space that adds to the power of the play. Afterwards there’s much conversation as the audience departs (but critics have been asked not to reveal the play’s ending.)

At a recent performance, Jackman and the two actresses came out to ask for funds for Broadway Cares. Along with donations and posters for sale, Jackman announced that he would sell the T-shirt off his back for a tax-deductible contribution. As he smiled and chatted charmingly, a woman in the audience suddenly called out a bid -$10,000.

Sadly, the 10 minute ‘auction” proved to be more enjoyable that the play itself. The cast was delighted with the donation, and the audience departed from the theater. I’m just wondering-what do you do with a sweaty T-shirt? Even one worn by Hugh Jackman?