"Jerusalem" is a modern play by Jez Butterworth that paints a vivid portrait of life in a rural Wiltshire village. Set against the backdrop of Johnny 'Rooster' Byron's chaotic encampment, the story unfolds as he and his misfit friends revel in a world of hedonism, camaraderie, and the threat of eviction looming, the last days in Roosters wood. As they gather for the village fair, the play explores themes of community, rebellion, and the struggle for a sense of belonging.
Being staged in an immersive woodland setting, this production invites audiences to witness the raw energy and grit of the characters as they navigate their realities. It's an opportunity to experience a contemporary classic that resonates with the pulse of modern life, making it a compelling addition to Wild Will's 2026 season, awash with Christian iconography and full of myths and legends.
This is an amateur production by arrangement with Nick Hern Books.
Short clips of Jerusalem by Jez Butterworth introducing the characters...
The cast of Jerusalem are all amateur actors coming from different walks of life; shopkeepers, NHS staff, Students and Public Sector workers. All give up their time to rehearse the play, learn their lines and hone their craft.
Jerusalem opens with a countdown. Fifty-five, fifty-six, fifty-seven — nine o'clock. From that first beat, time becomes the play's quiet antagonist. Rooster can outdrink most things and outtalk almost anything, but twenty-four hours is twenty-four hours. And the clock doesn't care about his stories.
The cast come back together to rehearse Jerusalem,
At its centre stands Johnny “Rooster” Byron, a drug-dealing, storytelling squatter whose character echoes the archetype of Christ in provocative and complex ways. For A-level students and teachers, unpacking these parallels offers a compelling lens through which to explore themes of sacrifice, redemption, and resistance to authority.
Wild Will’s outdoor production of Jerusalem introduces all the raw energy, folklore, and tension of Jez Butterworth’s acclaimed play.
The development of a final play takes many weeks of rehearsals.
