Blackbird

“Blackbird” is an extremely well written, hard hitting and explicit play by David Harrower. The story is set around two characters, fifty five year old Ray and twenty seven year old Una. Fifteen years earlier when Una was just twelve years old, Ray had sexually abused her, Una has now turned up unexpectedly at Ray’s work place and the most unimaginable confrontation begins ….

Director Mark Walker, assisted by Daniel Fortune has very sensitively brought this remarkable piece of theatre to the stage. The storyline has been approached in an accurate, frank and honest manner. Well done for achieving this.

The two actors in the central roles, David Mander as Ray and Susan Hackett as Una were both outstanding. David managed to sustain an air of embarrassment and shame throughout the performance and his reactions during Una’s monologue made very uncomfortable viewing. Susan too sustained her character throughout and her monologue was remarkable she was able to revert back to the feelings she had as a twelve year old in a very convincing way. There was a delightful cameo performance from Penny Walker as the “Girl” this was Penny’s first acting role.

The set for Blackbird was simple, well made and very effective as were the props. The costumes were chosen well. The lighting and sound quality was excellent throughout the play. The use of sound effects and music was very effective indeed and added greatly to the atmosphere.

Congratulations to all at Bonkers Theatrical for this amazing and faultless first night performance of “Blackbird”. This was a difficult play for the audience to watch, it was harrowing, explicit and very disturbing. You could have heard a pin drop through most of the play as it was so absorbing. Well done!

CAROLINE JERVIS                                                                                                                                   NODA EAST MIDLANDS DISTRICT 7 REPRESENTATIVE.      

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