The River Niger
by Joseph A Walker

Name: The River Niger
Brand: Joseph A Walker
SKU: 9780573614811
Rating: 3.64 (42 reviews)

The River Niger Book Cover — The River Niger Cover

Highlights

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Large Cast

Female

Male

120 mins1970sMulticultural CastingInterior SetContemporary Costumes/Street ClothesAmerican

Awards & Recognition

Drama Desk AwardTony Award

Winner! Three 1973 Tony Awards, including Best Play Winner, 1973 Drama Desk Award for Most Promising Playwright

What readers are saying

Readers appreciate the emotional depth and historical significance of the play. Many find it to be a powerful reflection on the African American experience, though some note it feels dated and has not maintained its relevance over the years. A few reviewers question its place in contemporary theatre amidst a lack of revival or recognition in more recent times.

Emotional depth and historical significancePowerful reflection on African American experienceAward-winning dramaFeels dated and less relevant today

Synopsis

The River Niger is about Jeff Williams, a young African-American man returning home to his family in Harlem after several years in the Air Force.

... When Jeff finally arrives, he is greeted by his childhood friend Mo and Mo's men, a small group of revolutionaries who try to bully Jeff into joining their organization.

Press Reviews

"A drama of considerable power."
— New York Post

"Eloquently scripted... Joseph A. Walker's 1972 drama paved the way for a new generation of black theater -- critical, confrontational and unapologetic."
— Los Angeles Times

"Leaves you with the impression that you've been inside a real, living situation, in which real people struggle, hope, win, lose, die and live. The best American play of the season! Brooding, compassionate and luminous."
— Bergen Record

"The River Niger is big, wide and deep... It is a testimony to man's unending fight for survival."
— New York Times

Characters

Character	Gender	Age	Description
Johnny Williams 50s, an alive poet	—	50s	50s, an alive poet
Mattie Williams 50s, an embittered but happy woman	female	50s	50s, an embittered but happy woman
Grandma Wilhelmina Brown 83, very alive, Mattie’s mother	female	—	83, very alive, Mattie’s mother
Dr. Dudley Stanton 50s, cynical, classic Jamaican, lover of poetry	male	50s	50s, cynical, classic Jamaican, lover of poetry
Jeff Williams 25, Johnny’s son, thoughtful, wild, a credit to his father	male	—	25, Johnny’s son, thoughtful, wild, a credit to his father
Ann Vanderguild 22, strong Black South African girl, lover of quality	female	—	22, strong Black South African girl, lover of quality
Mo 24, young Black leader of underlying beauty and integrity	—	—	24, young Black leader of underlying beauty and integrity
Gail Mo’s girl, lovable supportive spirit	female	—	Mo’s girl, lovable supportive spirit
Chips Sexually perverted, a young fool	—	—	Sexually perverted, a young fool
Al Closeted homosexual, capable, determined, very young	—	—	Closeted homosexual, capable, determined, very young
Skeeter Basically good, but hung up on dope	—	—	Basically good, but hung up on dope
Lt. Staples Police officer (voice only)	—	—	Police officer (voice only)
Bass Player Highly skillful at creating a mood (not seen), provides musical poetry for the play	—	—	Highly skillful at creating a mood (not seen), provides musical poetry for the play