Mud, River, Stone

Play

Writers: Lynn Nottage

Overview

Show Information

Category
Play
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
1996
Genres
Dark Comedy
Time & Place
Briefly Manhattan; South East Africa
Cast Size
small
Ideal for
College/University, Diverse Cast, Regional Theatre
Casting Notes
Mostly male cast
Includes adult, young adult, mature adult characters

Synopsis

A successful African-American couple from New York, Sarah and David Bradley, decide to take a cue from their fancy, socialite friends and take a trip to Africa, hoping to feel a connection to the Motherland and their ancestors. Bad planning finds them lost by themselves in the Bush of South East Africa, hoping someone will rescue them. Luckily, they stumble on an old hotel that has a bell boy named Joaquim and a white, African businessman named Mr. Blake. They are sure that once the rain stops they will jump on Mr. Blake’s plane and get back to the U.S. before work starts again on Monday. However, things aren’t so simple. Through a series of unfortunate events, Sarah and David find themselves being held hostage with an African woman named Ama, a Belgian man named Neibert (who identifies as African), Mr. Blake, and eventually a U.N. negotiator named Simone. Joaquim is the captor, and we see his desperation as he does whatever is necessary to get basic human needs for him and his family.

Lead Characters


Mud, River, Stone guide sections