Jerusalem (Jez Butterworth)

This section explores the play Jerusalem by Jez Butterworth, focusing on: the structure, setting, staging, characters, themes and the historical and cultural context of the play. Jerusalem (2009) is a modern, epic play by British playwright Jez Butterworth. Set in a rural English village, it explores the themes of national identity, the clash between tradition and modernity, and the tensions within contemporary English society. The play follows the character of Johnny "Rooster" Byron, a larger-than-life figure, as he contends with the changing social landscape of the village and the pressures of authority. It has been acclaimed for its vivid characters, sharp social commentary, and dynamic structure.

Structure of Jerusalem

• Act Structure: The play is typically structured into two acts, but its narrative is more fluid than traditional plays, with various digressions and episodic events. The first act introduces the central conflicts and characters, setting the stage for the tensions that escalate in the second act. The plot isn't linear and often shifts between moments of high energy and quieter, more introspective scenes.
• Non-linear Timeframe: Jerusalem incorporates a sense of temporal dislocation. While the events of the play happen over the course of a single day (St George’s Day), there are frequent flashbacks, memories, and mythic references. Butterworth uses this structure to blur the boundaries between the present and the past, reality and fantasy, allowing the audience to reflect on the characters' lives in both a concrete and metaphorical sense.
• Monologues and Storytelling: The play features several long monologues, particularly from Rooster, which help to explore his character, motivations, and his relationship with the world around him. These speeches often take the form of storytelling, with Rooster spinning tales about his past and about his views on English identity and life in the countryside.
• Epic Structure and Dramatic Tension: Butterworth often uses moments of tension and release throughout the play, with high-energy scenes (such as the arrival of the council officers) juxtaposed with slower, more reflective moments. This creates an ebb and flow in the narrative, which mirrors Rooster’s internal battle between accepting or rejecting the changing world around him.

Setting and Staging

• Rural England: Jerusalem is set in a rural village in the west of England, though Butterworth never names the specific location. The setting is important as it reflects the theme of rural versus urban, tradition versus modernity. The action takes place in the woods on the outskirts of the village, a setting that evokes a sense of mythic, almost timeless, place. The landscape plays a crucial role in the play's atmosphere, representing freedom and chaos in contrast to the order and regulation of the village.
• The Trailer: The central setting is a dilapidated caravan, or "trailer," where Johnny Rooster Byron lives. This serves as both a home and a metaphorical space. It’s a space of freedom and rebellion for Rooster, yet also represents a form of social decay. The trailer is surrounded by wild, unkempt land, further symbolising the wild, untamed nature of Rooster and his lifestyle.
• Staging Elements: The trailer and the surrounding woods are typically portrayed with rough, makeshift set design. The stage often feels rustic, cluttered with beer cans, refuse, and woodland debris. The gritty, realistic set contrasts with the more mythical and poetic elements of the play, creating an unsettling clash between the two worlds.
• Physicality and Movement: Much of the action in Jerusalem is driven by movement. Rooster is a physically dominant figure, and the stage often mirrors the chaotic energy he brings. The performances of the supporting characters, such as the youngsters and council officials, also reflect different facets of contemporary English society, ranging from youthful energy to the restrained authority of the state.
• Lighting and Sound: Lighting is often used to accentuate the contrast between the natural world and the intrusion of modernity. For example, lighting could be used to create a more serene, dreamlike effect in the woods or trailer, while the harsh lights of official characters (e.g., the council officers) may represent the cold, oppressive force of authority.

Historical and Cultural Context

• England in the 21st Century: Jerusalem was written and premiered in 2009, a time of significant social change in the UK. The play reflects the sense of a nation at a crossroads, caught between tradition and modernity. The collapse of industrial power, the decline of rural communities, and the pressure of social change are all themes that emerge in the play.
• The Clash of Cultures: The play addresses the tension between rural and urban life in England. Rooster represents an older, anarchic form of rural life, one that rejects the imposition of law and order, while the other characters, particularly the council officers, represent the encroaching, sanitising force of bureaucracy and modernity.
• English National Identity: Jerusalem deals heavily with questions of English national identity, particularly through Rooster’s character. He embodies the mythic, rebellious spirit of England, often speaking about legends of the past (such as the story of St George and the dragon). Rooster challenges the idea of the “English gentleman” and reflects a more untamed, working-class view of what it means to be English.
• The Legacy of Empire and Class: Rooster’s character and the other villagers reflect a working-class, post-imperial England, where many of the certainties of the past (such as the British Empire) are gone. The characters in Jerusalem are grappling with their place in a world where the old ways are increasingly irrelevant, yet their identities are still deeply rooted in those traditions.
• Political Climate: At the time of the play’s production, England was facing economic challenges, growing inequality, and cultural divisions. Butterworth uses Rooster as a symbol of defiance and rebellion, contrasting with the increasing bureaucratic control represented by the council officers. The play implicitly critiques the harshness of modern governance and the erosion of rural freedoms.

Characters in Jerusalem

• Johnny “Rooster” Byron: The central character of the play, Rooster is a charismatic, larger-than-life figure who lives outside of society's rules. He’s a drug dealer, a party figure, and a mythic figure in the eyes of the youth who admire him. Rooster embodies defiance, freedom, and the romanticism of the past, particularly in his views of English history. His character is complex, both likable and deeply flawed, and his actions provoke reflection on the cost of individual freedom in a changing society.
• Marky and Phaedra: Two of the young people who spend time with Rooster. Marky is a troubled youth, often conflicted and seeking meaning in a world that seems to offer little. Phaedra is a stronger, more independent young woman, though she is also drawn to Rooster's vision of freedom and rebellion. Their characters represent the younger generation's quest for identity and purpose in a world that seems increasingly constrained by rules and regulations.
• The Council Officers (Ginger and Troy): These characters represent authority and the encroachment of bureaucracy. Ginger and Troy arrive in the village to evict Rooster from his trailer, and their efforts to bring order to the unruly world of the play create tension with Rooster’s defiant, free-spirited existence. They are often seen as embodiments of the “establishment,” seeking to impose control and regulation on the chaos that Rooster represents.
• Dawn: Rooster's estranged lover, who provides a more grounded perspective in contrast to his anarchic personality. She represents the more conventional, domestic side of English life, and her relationship with Rooster highlights the play's tension between freedom and responsibility.
• Other Villagers: Throughout the play, various villagers provide additional perspectives on Rooster and the world around him. These characters often serve as witnesses to the conflict between Rooster and the forces of authority, and they represent different aspects of contemporary English life, from nostalgia for the past to the pressures of modern society.

Themes in Jerusalem

• Freedom vs. Authority: One of the central themes of Jerusalem is the clash between personal freedom and the controlling forces of society. Rooster represents the desire to live outside the constraints of social norms and laws, while characters like the council officers represent the authority that seeks to impose order. This theme reflects larger tensions in modern English society between individualism and regulation.
• English National Identity: The play explores what it means to be English in the 21st century, particularly through Rooster’s character. His tales of English legends, his rebellious nature, and his defiance of the status quo represent a mythic, romanticised version of English identity, in contrast to the more bureaucratic and conformist views of modern England.
• The Past and the Present: Rooster’s stories often blur the boundaries between myth and reality, highlighting the role of nostalgia in shaping identity. The play questions whether it is possible to reconcile the past with the present, and whether society can move forward while still holding on to old traditions and beliefs.
• Rebellion and the Outsider: Rooster embodies the spirit of rebellion and the outsider, challenging the status quo and refusing to be controlled by the forces of modern society. His character represents a critique of the way society marginalises those who do not conform, while also celebrating the power and charisma of those who resist authority.
• Youth and Disillusionment: The young characters in the play, particularly Marky and Phaedra, reflect the disillusionment of a generation facing an uncertain future. Their relationship with Rooster is one of admiration and longing for a sense of purpose and freedom, yet they are also confronted with the harsh realities of adulthood and social expectations.

Summary

Jerusalem is a bold and dynamic play that explores issues of identity, authority, and societal change in modern England. Through its larger-than-life characters, particularly Johnny "Rooster" Byron, and its epic structure, the play engages with questions of Englishness, freedom, and the tensions between tradition and modernity. Jez Butterworth’s skillful use of setting, staging, and characterisation ensures that Jerusalem remains a thought-provoking and challenging piece of contemporary theatre.