'Blackbird' to be Adapted Into Feature Film by Harrower

Variety is reporting that Jean Doumanian Productions will be teaming up with playwright David Harrower to bring his work Blackbird to the big screen next year. This announcement comes right after Doumanian announced he would be producing the adaptation of August: Osage County as well.

British vernacular for jailbird, Blackbird is a real-time account of the awkward reunion of Ray and Una, 15 years after a passionate affair when he was 40 and she was just a minor. Ray is confronted with his past when Una arrives unannounced at his workplace.  Guilt, rage and raw emotions run high as they recollect their forbidden relationship. After years in prison and subsequent hardships, Ray has a new identity and has made a new life for himself, thinking that he could no longer be found. But Una, now 27, has
thought of nothing else since, and on finding a photo of Ray, sets out to find him, looking for answers, not vengeance. Nonetheless, their reunion has a devastating effect that will leave audiences stunned.

Originally commissioned in 2005 by the Edinburgh International Festival, Blackbird was the surprise winner of the 2007 Laurence Olivier Award, Britain's equivalent to the Tony's, besting stiff competition including Frost/Nixon by Peter Morgan and Tom Stoppard's Rock 'n' Roll. Blackbird premiered in the U.S. in April 2007 at New York's Manhattan Theater Club, directed by Broadway veteran Joe Mantello, starring Alison Pill and Jeff Daniels.  The reviews were stellar.

Variety goes on to state that Harrower is also developing a screenplay for another play of his, White Male Heart.

Don't Miss a Broadway News Story Sign up for all the news on the Fall season, discounts & more...