A comic, contemporary vision of rural life in our green and pleasant land, Jez Butterworth's epic new play is wildly original. In part a lament about the erosion of country life and in part a rebuff to the antiseptic modern world, it features a landmark central performance from Mark Rylance as hellraiser Johnny Byron, 'a performance so charismatic, so mercurial, so complete and compelling that it doesn't look like acting' (ES), and a superb ensemble cast including Mackenzie Crook who 'excels' as Johnny's sidekick Ginger.

On St George's Day, the morning of the local county fair, Johnny Byron, local waster and modern day Pied Piper, is a wanted man. The council officials want to serve him an eviction notice, his son wants his dad to take him to the fair, Troy Whitworth wants to give him a serious kicking and a motley crew of mates want his ample supply of drugs and alcohol.