←Recommendations of A Night on the Bridge

I adore Japanese theatre, and A NIGHT ON THE BRIDGE is a brilliant and poignant modern take of the ancient art. The rhythmic poetry is this piece is truly magical. ABSOLUTELY LOVELY.

Got caught up in this one, then read it again and went even deeper into the poetry. Beautifully dreamlike, whilst being full of realism too. Highly recommend it.

The spare and lyrical dialogue of this supremely moving play seduces the reader and heightens the impact of the narrative. This chance meeting between strangers is fraught with meaning and changes the course of their lives. This is a very special piece.

What a beautiful play. Poetic, full of surprises, full of empathy for the pain and pleasure of being a human being on this planet. John Medlin evokes a whole world in our imagination with a sparseness of dialogue. Observing these two characters connect is a great joy. Thank you John Medlin for creating these characters, based on a true situation. It will stay with you a long time.

Reminiscent of noh theatre, A Night on the Bridge is chock full of poetry, flowing like the river. In this beautiful play, John Medlin's Man and Woman make an important statement on life and loneliness and the patriarchy.

Exquisite! This play may be the closest thing to perfection I have ever read. And I imagine I would have the same response if I’m ever fortunate enough to see it staged. The dialogue is sparse, poetic, and moving. The pain both characters feel is palpable and yet the story is truly life affirming. This is a must read!

You know you're onto a winner when the opening stage directions are hauntingly beautiful! from there are you are introduced to a story that is the definition of how much one person can affect the life of another. Woman starts with expectations of what man wants but through the next 11 pages both characters have a wonderful journey of discovery, which as an audience member would be a thrill to witness. Its wonderfully written play that makes an impact as well as invites the audience to feel with its characters, brilliantly done.

A NIGHT ON A BRIDGE is beautiful, in the hands of a director who fully understands the magic and sentiment in this piece it will be stunning to watch. Aside from the points previously touched on in other recommendations, we often curse our jobs, wishing we were free, but really they a such a linchpin in our lives, one that holds us together, financially and emotionally. That said, I would love to be a professional writer able to write plays as good as this, it really is beautiful.

“Water undoes me.”

The heartbreaking resonance of those three words in the midst of a lovely soliloquy in a play filled with poetry… “Water undoes me” undoes me.

While the actors need not be, the style, tone, and emotionality of the piece is undeniably Japanese. Like shadows projected on the paper walls of a pagoda, the characters’ souls know darkness and a sorrow that defies light. Words are their swords and shields, and the goal is life… at least for one more day.

Breathtakingly elegant, dreamlike but grounded. This play is a testament to compassion and hope.

Such hurt and defensiveness in this lovely play that leads perhaps to a glimmer of hope. We experience mistrust of kindness from a stranger and stark desperation. John Medlin has crafted a poetic language of despair with a theatrical sensitivity. There is also smart commentary on patriarchy with the story of a man who learns something from the woman he is attempting to save. Beautiful piece!