Jerusalem, by Jez Butterworth

Harrogate Dramatic Society presents Jerusalem, by Jez Butterworth

Widely acclaimed as one of the best plays of the 21st century. This rich, rollicking, lyrical play, set on St George’s Day in a Wiltshire wood tells the story of Johnny Byron, a local waster, who is about to be evicted from his caravan.

There are allusions to Jerusalem by William Blake, the mythology of ancient Albion, the giants who ruled here before humans and built Stonehenge, and the lengths people will go to when playing Trivial Pursuit. The play is funny, vivid and complex, drawing high praise when performed around the world. It looks at what we want from our countryside. Should everything be regulated? Is there no place for revels? Anarchy?

Johnny “Rooster” Byron was originally played by Mark Rylance in what was considered one of the greatest performances in recent theatrical history. Byron is part Falstaff, part pied piper; a storyteller, wordsmith of Shakespearean level and general thorn in the side of the locals living in the nearby housing estate. The council want to serve him an eviction notice, his son wants to be taken to the country fair, a stepfather wants to give him a serious kicking and a motley crew of “friends” wants his ample supply of drugs and alcohol.

The play contains strong language and drug references and is unsuitable for children.

Circle Awards and the 2010 Writers’ Guild of Great Britain Award for Best Play. Rylance won the 2010 Olivier and 2009 Evening Standard and London Critics’ Circle Best Actor Awards for his performance.

This amateur production of Jerusalem,by Jez Butterworth is presented by arrangement with Nick Hern Books.