Blackbird
by David Harrower
15th to 17th September 2011
Archway Studio Theatre
Start 19:45
This play’s uncomfortable subject examines an illegal under-age relationship between Ray, now 55 yrs old, and Una,
now 27 yrs old, which happened 15 years earlier.
In most people’s minds, the man would be termed a paedophile. By law, he would nowadays be placed on the Sex
Offenders Register; however this play explores the grey areas, and how people deal with the consequences of their
actions and desires. At the heart of ‘Blackbird’ is the fact – a difficult, controversial fact, and one that challenges our
preconceptions – that this is a love story. A tragic, desperate one, which destroyed lives…….. but a love story
nonetheless.
Set in a rubbish strewn factory staff canteen, to where she has traced him, the two protagonists engage in a long
and difficult confrontation involving Una’s continuing struggle to understand and come to terms with the affair, and
her intensely conflicting emotions.
Serena Bravery, a newcomer to the Archway, plays Una. She is a very talented actress and has been a delight to
direct. I am sure we will see much more of her at the Arch in the future. Andrew Cooke, who I directed in
'Footlights & Flanders' last year when he was a WW1 soldier cowering in a trench somewhere on the Somme, plays
Ray. This is a difficult part but he has risen to the challenge, and the pairing of Serena and Andrew is both dramatic
and riveting - do not miss it!!
A shock ending, and very strong language throughout.
We are trialing our online Box Office for this production, please feel free to book tickets by using the link above, you can pay securely online and will recieve your ticket(s) by email to print and bring with you to the event.
This is our first production bookable via our online booking system.
For this production trial there will be no online booking fee. This maybe reviewed on future bookings.
Online sales end at 23:45 the night before each performance.
If you have any questions or problems with the online box office trial please contact us by using this link and we will be able to assist you.
