Blackbird

Scottish playwright David Harrower’s traumatic tale Blackbird premiered at the Edinburgh International Festival in 2005, before moving onto London’s West End in 2006. A story of forbidden love and obsession; it poses more questions than it answers, which makes it all the more compelling.

As the lights go up, we bear witness to a tension filled conversation between Ray (Marc Clement) and Una (Monika Lapka) in the dishevelled lunchroom of Ray’s workplace. Looking for explanations and remorse, Una has an axe to grind as she confronts Ray about their 3-month love-affair 15 years prior. What makes this encounter shocking is that Una was only 12 years old at the time, whilst Ray was 28 years her senior.

Paedophilia is not a comfortable subject to give a voice to, but this story is not just a tale of predator meets victim. Although Ray was jailed for his crime, it appears that both Una and Ray’s relationship is far more complex and layered. Una still bears the pain of her first physical encounter. Slowly simmering, she berates Ray, who knows better than to dispel her claims and ongoing trauma. Ray offers Una an explanation for his betrayal that calms her before she erupts into a rage that displays the torment that continues to live in both of them.

It would seem easy to make a judgement about this relationship, but the narrative allows for empathy on both sides, which adds to the moral dilemma. Both Clement and Lapka match each-other with the intensity of their performances. A rollercoaster of emotions is felt by performers and audience alike.

Adelaide based director Tony Knight does well to use his vast experience to showcase a depth and vulnerability in character development. Whilst a disturbing subject matter was always going to be confronting, there is a fragility that hangs over this very human story.

I am not sure that I got the answers I was searching for at the conclusion of this production, but I suspect that was the playwright’s intention.

If looking for fast-paced dramatic theatre, then this is the ticket. It will leave an impression, which will have you questioning where your sympathies lie and whether the bond between Ray and Una, however harrowing will continue.

Kerry Cooper