WILDERNESS

by Greg Hovanesian

ONE-ACT: Late at night, in a dark and remote forest, two men find themselves alone with only the stars and a telescope to keep them company. As they watch the stars above, they discuss the things that friends often discuss: life, actions and consequences , the reasons people do the things they do. But as one sentence connects to another, and as the sky above continues to darken, the words spoken by the two...

ONE-ACT: Late at night, in a dark and remote forest, two men find themselves alone with only the stars and a telescope to keep them company. As they watch the stars above, they discuss the things that friends often discuss: life, actions and consequences , the reasons people do the things they do. But as one sentence connects to another, and as the sky above continues to darken, the words spoken by the two begin to take on sinister meanings. And as the light completely fades away, the words themselves dissipate, leaving only the animal instincts of the two to guide them through the night.

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WILDERNESS

Recommended by

  • Matthew Alan Craig: WILDERNESS by Greg Hovanesian
    “

    We are all just animals with evil intentions... Wow, even though I knew what was going to happen because of the structure, I was still scared for what was going to happen. The play is the cup of tea that I needed for tonight, and this tea was satisfying. Truly brilliant dialogue that just creeps me out and leaves me horrified.

    We are all just animals with evil intentions... Wow, even though I knew what was going to happen because of the structure, I was still scared for what was going to happen. The play is the cup of tea that I needed for tonight, and this tea was satisfying. Truly brilliant dialogue that just creeps me out and leaves me horrified.

    ”
  • Donna Gordon: WILDERNESS by Greg Hovanesian
    “

    Reverse order is an interesting structure. Though we know the outcome, it doesn't make the details of the crime any less intriguing. The acts of human beings are imitated or reflected in nature, even the sinister ones. If we see things this way, and Hovanesian definitely does. He gives us a sight to remember, in a dark forest.

    Reverse order is an interesting structure. Though we know the outcome, it doesn't make the details of the crime any less intriguing. The acts of human beings are imitated or reflected in nature, even the sinister ones. If we see things this way, and Hovanesian definitely does. He gives us a sight to remember, in a dark forest.

    ”
  • David Beardsley: WILDERNESS by Greg Hovanesian
    “

    Jealousy leads to murder and then insanity, except it all happens in reverse order in this strange and disturbing tale told backwards. When the play opens, one character is dead, the other is unhinged, and we have no idea why. As each scene moves us closer to the beginning we start to piece together details, and our knowledge of where it’s all leading makes it all the more horrifying. This is a dark and delicious play.

    Jealousy leads to murder and then insanity, except it all happens in reverse order in this strange and disturbing tale told backwards. When the play opens, one character is dead, the other is unhinged, and we have no idea why. As each scene moves us closer to the beginning we start to piece together details, and our knowledge of where it’s all leading makes it all the more horrifying. This is a dark and delicious play.

    ”
View all 5 recommendations

Development History

  • Reading, Playwrights' Platform, 2017
  • Reading, Ya Bird? Productions, 2017

Production History

  • Professional, Ya Bird? Productions, 2019