Walk in the Woods synopsis

The place is a "pleasant woods on the outskirts of Geneva," where two arms negotiators, a Russian and an American, meet informally after long, frustrating hours at the bargaining table. 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 younger 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. Through their absorbing and revealing conversations, we become aware both of the deepening understanding between these two wise and decent people and also of the profound frustration which they increasingly feel as they struggle to, as Honeyman says, “prevent the total destruction of every living thing on this planet.”

“A Walk in the Woods” is an important, brilliantly executed and strikingly original play which brings deep perception and unexpected humor to its probing examination of the continuing negotiations on nuclear disarmament. The play was a long-running Broadway success. "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 Magazine.


The International Social Studies Project in the School of Education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

"A Walk in the Woods" Play Synopsis

"A Walk in the Woods"
Play Synopsis