A Walk in the Woods

The Russian, Botvinnik, a seasoned veteran who has mastered the Soviet "hard line," is urbane and humorous but, at the same time, profoundly cynical about what the current sessions can accomplish

His young American counterpart, Honeyman, a newcomer to the arms-control talks, is a bit stuffy and pedantic, but also fervently idealistic about what can - and must - be achieved through perseverance and honest bargaining

They continue their informal meetings as the talks drag on and the seasons change, and through their absorbing and revealing conversations we become aware both of the deepening understanding between these two wise and decent men and also of the profound frustration which they increasingly feel

In the end, when Botvinnik announces that he is leaving his post

Honeyman is genuinely regretful, not only because of the friendship which has grown between them but also because he knows that he must now confront again the deep-seated mistrust and misconceptions which a "new man" will bring with him

And which the elemental differences in their two systems of government will continue to exacerbate as long as the real power rests in the hands of those burdened by the bitterness of the past

REVIEWS

"It is a marvelous piece of theatre as well as a great treatise on the nature of mankind, and should take its place as a classic of dramatic literature" ~ Drama-Logue

"... a work of passion and power with the ring of political truth. It is not only the best of the few dramas to reach Broadway this season, it is also the funniest comedy" ~ Time