Blackbird

Synopsis

Fifteen years ago Ray and Una had an affair. After its disastrous ending, Ray went away and tried to forget, hoping that he'd never be found. But Una has thought of nothing else. Tracking him down and arriving unannounced at his place of work, she forces him finally to confront his actions. Back when he was 40 and she was 12. This highly provocative and tragic love story takes us into dark and difficult waters. Preconceptions will be challenged and difficult questions asked. When does love become abuse? When does wrong become right? And can we ever really escape the shackles of the past?

Our Review:

14 February 2006

There hasn't been an original new play as gripping, provocative or ultimately startling as David Harrower’s aptly harrowing Blackbird in years. Not since Festen left me shaken, sobbing and stirred has a play taken an audience on such an intimate rollercoaster journey into an irrevocable settling of old, long suppressed scores and festering sores as this one does; while that is high praise indeed coming from me since I seriously believe Festen to me amongst the greatest events of my theatregoing lifetime, that took its story from a prior existing film, rather than the original story put forward here.

Intriguingly, though, both revolve around illicit relationships that occurred many years before the plays themselves are set: a father with his young twin children in the case of Festen, or a 40-year-old man with the 12-year-old daughter of a family friend here. And just as a family birthday celebration ignites an irrevocable night of reck...

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Latest User Review

62.253.96.46) - 11 May 2006:

Superb on every level. Provocative, challenging, mesmerising and never compromising. Excellent acting and direction....

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