Theatre Review: Blackbird
Just got back from seeing Blackbird, an award-winning play originally put on at the Edinburgh Festival, now showing until May 13 at the Albery Theatre in London.
What can I say, but wow. It was an intense, well-done, insightful, heavy play where fifteen years after being sexually abused, Una (now 27) tracks down her abuser Ray, now 56. But it was nowhere near the typical tabloid take on child abuse and scandal. Because while the play never condones Ray's actions on any level, does show the vast range of human emotions that go along with this situation - and does to some extent blur the lines between abuse, love, and obsession.
At times, when reminiscing about their past, they almost seem like two lovers going back over their history. And Una, supposedly there for closure and/or revenge, seems still to be very much in love with Ray. Her emotions swing between anger and desire, as slowly the original story unravels.
The acting was superb - Ray (Roger Allam) was spot on, and Una's (Jodhi May) intensity never wavered, although occasionally bordering on the melodramatic.
There's no real closure in this play, no conclusions drawn, only a very insightful look into the complexity of human relationships.
I highly recommend viewing this play, while you still can. The famous German director Peter Stein does a fantastic job of bringing out the subtleties of Scottish writer, David Harrower's (author of "Knives in Hens") well-written script.
Book tickets here.
What can I say, but wow. It was an intense, well-done, insightful, heavy play where fifteen years after being sexually abused, Una (now 27) tracks down her abuser Ray, now 56. But it was nowhere near the typical tabloid take on child abuse and scandal. Because while the play never condones Ray's actions on any level, does show the vast range of human emotions that go along with this situation - and does to some extent blur the lines between abuse, love, and obsession.
At times, when reminiscing about their past, they almost seem like two lovers going back over their history. And Una, supposedly there for closure and/or revenge, seems still to be very much in love with Ray. Her emotions swing between anger and desire, as slowly the original story unravels.
The acting was superb - Ray (Roger Allam) was spot on, and Una's (Jodhi May) intensity never wavered, although occasionally bordering on the melodramatic.
There's no real closure in this play, no conclusions drawn, only a very insightful look into the complexity of human relationships.
I highly recommend viewing this play, while you still can. The famous German director Peter Stein does a fantastic job of bringing out the subtleties of Scottish writer, David Harrower's (author of "Knives in Hens") well-written script.
Book tickets here.
posted by Brittany at 5/06/2006 06:30:00 pm
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