If you're looking for more information or analysis of the play, I recommend:
Approximately 75 to 90 minutes with no intermission
David Harrower’s (2005) is a critically acclaimed but deeply unsettling one-act play that explores the aftermath of a sexual relationship between a 40-year-old man, Ray, and a 12-year-old girl, Una. Set fifteen years after their initial encounter, the story follows Una as she tracks Ray down at his workplace to confront him. Sesaya Arts Magazine Critical Reception and Themes
The Blackbird script is highly sought after in academic and theatrical circles for several reasons: blackbird play david harrower pdf
2 actors (1 woman in her late 20s, 1 man in his mid-50s) and a brief appearance by a young girl Setting: A messy, under-maintained workplace break room
A 56-year-old man who has rebuilt his life under a new identity.
Do not let the controversial subject matter scare you away. Blackbird is not gratuitous; it is surgical. By the final page, as Una walks out of the canteen and Ray is left alone with the garbage, Harrower offers no hope. But he offers truth. And in the theatre, as in life, that is rarer and more precious than comfort. If you're looking for more information or analysis
: Notable 2016 production starred Jeff Daniels and Michelle Williams . Blackbird | Concord Theatricals
This public link is valid for 7 days and shares a thread, including any personal information you added. This link or copies made by others cannot be deleted. If you share with third parties, their policies apply. Can’t copy the link right now. Try again later.
The official performance rights and printed scripts for Blackbird are managed by major theatrical licensing agents. You can purchase physical acting editions or legal digital copies (e.g., e-scripts) directly from: Do not let the controversial subject matter scare you away
A fascinating element of the script is the conflicting memories of the two characters. Ray frames their past relationship through a lens of romanticized love, convincing himself it was a pure devotion. Una fluctuates violently between recognizing herself as a victim of grooming and remembering the intense, confusing attachment she felt at twelve. 3. Power Dynamics and Linguistic Boxing
Harrower uses broken syntax, overlapping dialogue, and sudden silences to create a linguistic boxing match. The power dynamic shifts constantly. Ray initially holds power as the adult perpetrator, but Una gains control by invading his safe space and threatening to dismantle his new life. Production History and Critical Reception
Playing Ray as a mustache-twirling villain or Una solely as a victim flattens the play. The tension relies on both characters feeling entirely human, flawed, and deeply damaged.