Coyote on a Fence

This show has now closed, click here for a listing of current and future London shows

Play Opened 28 April 2004, Closed 22 May 2004

Duchess Theatre Catherine Street, London

The European Premiere of a play by Bruce Graham.

On death row in the southern US is John Brennan, an educated yet arrogant writer whose crime could be viewed as doing society a 'favour'. Brennan uses his skills and intelligence to actively campaign against capital punishment. He is also responsible for editing the prison newspaper, The Death Row Advocate, and in particular, penning the prisoners' obituaries. After his previous neighbour is executed, Bobby Alvin Reyburn takes his place in the cell next to Brennan.

Reyburn, a deeply disturbed young man, is a member of the Aryan nation and the perpetrator of an horrific mass racist murder. Illiterate, yet strangely appealing, Reyburn is ready to die and longs to be in heaven where he believes he will be rewarded for carrying out 'God's work'.

Despite the gulf between the two men, an understanding develops between them; and as each awaits their fate, one evokes sympathy and the other derision.

In a modern day America where the President has been responsible as Governor for more state executions than any other, this compelling drama examines issues surrounding justice and revenge, and explores one vital question: Can one be innocent though proven guilty?

The cast features Ben Cross and Alex Ferns.

"Bruce Graham achieves something truly remarkable in this gripping death-row drama. A play of rare power, compassion and insight" The Daily Telegraph

"Marvellous performances from Ben Cross and Alex Ferns" The Metro

"Blisteringly good... great performances all round" The Guardian

"Ferns' performance tops Jack Nicholson in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" The Sunday Times

Bruce Graham was inspired to write Coyote on a Fence by a wire service story in the Philadelphia Inquirer concerning Death Row prisoner James Beathard - Beathard published a Death Row newspaper at the Texas State Penitentiary in Huntsville. Graham struck up a two year correspondence with Beathard. Before he was executed for murder in December 1999, Beathard read the script and wrote Graham an approving note, saying "You got rave reviews." Following his death Beathard was exonerated.