Play Details
Context
Artistic Director
Dominic Cooke
Dates Performed
Monday 13th July 2009
Jerwood Theatre Downstairs
Play Details
Synopsis
West Country, England
On St George’s Day, former stuntman John ‘Rooster’ Byron faces eviction from his woodland home of 27 years. The play unfolds in one day, capturing the essence of a standstill life. Though it begins and ends with an eviction notice, one can’t help but wonder if Johnny’s determination will triumph or if an unseen tragedy awaits him.
Cast & Creative
Cast
Mark Rylance
Cast
Mackenzie Crook
Cast
Alan David
Cast
Tom Brooke
Cast
Danny Kirrane
Cast
Gerard Horan
Cast
Barry Sloane
Cast
Aimee-Ffion Edwards
Cast
Lucy Montgomery
Cast
Dan Poole
Cast
Lennie Harvey
Designer
Ultz
What our readers say
What is it like reading this play now?
The play delves into the question of who truly belongs to England and the role of the law. While some 2009 critics saw Johnny as symbolising the decline of the British Empire, his GRT heritage remains a point of contention, reflecting today’s debates on immigration and acceptance. It critiques powerful figures like Bush and Blair while highlighting the plight of the marginalized. Pagan references resonate with today’s environmental concerns and our treatment of different belief systems. Some language may feel outdated but remains realistic.
What films or music does it make you think of?
Mark Jenkin’s ‘Bait’ (2019) – the displacement of local people for money that’s not of the region; local tensions; and the air of tragedy.
