...blackbird hour
6 Feb 2025Size: 198mm x 129mm
6 Feb 2025
...blackbird hour
Paperback
£11.99£9.59
Ebook
£11.99£9.59
Bush Theatre, London
From Thu 30 Jan 2025 to Sat 1 Mar 2025 Bristol Old Vic (Weston Studio)
From Tue 4 Mar 2025 to Sat 8 Mar 2025 Leeds Playhouse
From Thu 13 Mar 2025 to Sat 15 Mar 2025
Eshe hasn't left the flat. Loved ones keep reaching out: blowing up her phone and showing up at her front door. They say they're going to 'save' her. She's not saying anything back.
Until, in the dark early hours, surrounded by half-eaten food, dirty washing and a damn good playlist, she focuses on the letter in front of her.
babirye bukilwa's play …blackbird hour is a visceral and moving exploration of care, belonging and of one queer Black woman's attempts to love herself.
It was first performed at the Bush Theatre, London, in 2025, produced by Vital Xposure and directed by malakaï sargeant, before touring the UK. It was shortlisted for the Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting, the Women's Prize for Playwriting and the Alfred Fagon Award.
babirye bukilwa is an actor, playwright and poet. …blackbird hour serves as a continuation of their critically acclaimed playwriting debut …cake.
'This "love" word. Do people just use it when they feel sorry?'
'Visceral and chilling... full-throttled... a formally daring 90-minute play, which pours out like urgent poetry... revelatory and disturbing'
Guardian'Very powerful... manages to create a whole world of pain... bukilwa's text is a mixture of naturalistic dialogue, with literary touches of poetic imagery, references to pop culture and sudden shifts of feeling... a show that dives deep into the darkest emotions humans are capable of enduring'
Arts Desk'Ambitious and uncompromisingly challenging... there is a gorgeous richness to the dialogue, which manages to feel simultaneously natural and charged with profundity'
The Stage'Utterly arresting... bukilwa is a deeply skilled writer... unique and true'
All That Dazzles'A dark exploration of the effects of psychosis on an individual's sense of self... tragic and replete with promise'
Reviews Hub'A poignant and striking piece of theatre'
Theatre Weekly'A stunning watch which will undoubtedly leave you feeling moved'
Theatre & Tonic6 Feb 2025Size: 198mm x 129mm
6 Feb 2025
