A charismatic ‘Leader’ raises goats that he names after foreign dignitaries as he hides from an international war crimes tribunal. He is especially fond of a nanny goat he calls “Madeleine Albright”.
Beginning in an apartment in Bosnia and ending in a suburban kitchen in North America, The Bone Bridge spirals in and around the very personal lives of individuals working to rebuild their lives after conflict. As the Leader is found in hiding and goes on trial for human rights abuses, the delicate balance that has been struck is about to be blown wide open. The Bone Bridge is an exploration of civil conflict, nationalism and the culpability of leadership – when home and country are lost, and neighbour has turned on neighbour, is it humanly possible to recover?
“Reconciliation requires four things: truth, justice, mercy and peace. These four elements often contradict each other. For example, justice often involves punishment and violence, which is the opposite of mercy. Or, speaking the truth creates more conflict, which is the opposite of peace. However, without all four elements, reconciliation cannot exist.”
- John Paul Lederach
Winner of the Woodward International Playwriting Prize out of U.S.
Finalist for the Herman Voaden Prize
Finalist for the Mario Fratti-Fred Newman Political Play Competition (NYC)
Finalist for the Bay Area Playwrights Festival (San Francisco)