Blackbirdis a dark, disturbing work. Can you tell us a little about the plot?
15 years ago, Ray and Una had a relationship when she was 12 and he was 40. He abandoned her and they haven’t seen each other since, but now she’s found him again. After three years in prison and subsequent hardships, Ray has a new identity. Una, 27, has thought of nothing else. Upon seeing a photo of Ray in a magazine, she tracks him down and arrives, unannounced, at his office. Guilt, rage, and raw emotions run high as they recollect the passionate relationship they had 15 years ago.
The play is a two-hander, and a very intense one at that. How have rehearsals been?
It has actually been a great process. It’s definitely been exhausting at times, but as a team we have managed to find the fun and lightness in working together. That’s always important, but it’s especially so when you’re working on a dark and heavy show such as this.
The play has previously been staged in a production directed by Cate Blanchett. Did you feel beholden by past stagings?
Absolutely not. The play has also recently finished performing on Broadway as well, but through lengthy discussions we developed our own interpretations of the characters and the story that I believe are distinct from either of those previous productions. Comparisons are inevitable though I’m sure!
What do you think makes Blackbird as a play special?
It’s a fascinating script, unlike anything I’ve read before. It’s poetic and unpretentious at the same time. It doesn’t hide and it doesn’t shy away from exploring some very challenging and confronting themes, and the characters feel very real and very complex. But while the core idea of the play is shocking, it’s beautifully written and uncompromising.
What do you want audiences to walk out of the play thinking/feeling?
Honestly, I don’t have any idea what audiences will be feeling once the show finished, and that for me is the most exciting part. I think there will be many different discussions taking place after each performance and that’s the beauty of the script. I think it would be impossible to guess how people will react, but that’s really what makes the show so incredible to be a part of.
Blackbird runsTuesday September 6 – Saturday September 10, as part of Sydney Fringe 2016, at the Off-Broadway Festival Hub, Annandale.
