LAMORINDA WEEKLY | THT In the Wings staged reading features 'The River'


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Town Hall Theatre's first IN THE WINGS staged reading of the 2019-20 Season is a one-night only performance of "The River," a lyrical and mysterious new play about a man and a woman (or women, possibly), and fishing, by Tony Award winner Jez Butterworth.

In his subtly crafted play, Butterworth sets the story in a remote cabin on the cliffs beside a river. The Man has invited The Woman there, and he longs to share with her the ecstatic excitement of fishing for trout that night, a once-a-year moonless night. Darkness, the sound of the rushing river and lights come up on the Man calling the police about a woman who has gone missing while fishing. He is interrupted by a door banging and The Other Woman enters, seemingly having exchanged places. Are we witnessing some kind of ritual enfold? Are we watching a ghost story, a thriller or an elegy?

"The River" will have one performance at 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 11 at Town Hall Theatre Company, 3535 School Street, in Lafayette. Tickets are $10 general admission and free to subscribers, and are available through the box office at (925) 283-1557 or online at www.TownHallTheatre.com.