A troubling
and intense work which explores the emotional scarring left by abuse, Blackbird
boils theatre down to its most essential elements. It's a heart-stopping
confrontation between one man and one woman, bonded together through a horrendous
past experience.
Written by
Scottish playwright David Harrower, Blackbird stunned critics and audiences
alike when it premiered at 2005's Edinburgh festival, and again when it debuted
on American shores at the Manhattan Theatre Club. Emmy winner Jeff Daniels
reprises his role as Ray from that production, starring alongside Oscar-nominee
Michelle Williams. In the director's chair is two-time Tony winner Joe Mantello
(Wicked).
What is
blackbird about?
50-something
office worker Ray once committed a terrible crime and now he is forced to
reckon with his victim, face-to-face. Fifteen years ago he had a sexual
relationship with a twelve year old girl named Una. The abuse was discovered
and Ray was imprisoned.
After being
released, Ray has managed to build a new life for himself, but the past won't
let him get away so easy. Una turns up at his workplace, demanding to talk to
him. After hustling her into a grubby storage room, the pair embark on an
intense and angry confrontation, which never seems to head in the direction you
would expect.
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