Throwing Shade Theatre Company Presents BLACKBIRD at Sydney Fringe

Fifteen years ago, Una and Ray had a relationship. She was 12, and he was 40. Then he abandoned her, and they haven't set eyes on each other since. Now she's found him again...After three years in prison and subsequent hardships, Ray has a new identity and has made a new life for himself, thinking that he cannot be found. Una, twenty-seven, has thought of nothing else; upon seeing a photo of Ray in a magazine, she has tracked him down and arrived, unannounced, at his office. Guilt, rage, and raw emotions run high as they recollect the passionate relationship they had fifteen years ago. Without moral judgements, the play never shies away from the brutal truth of this abandoned and unconventional love. Nevertheless, the consequences are shattering.

Throwing Shade Theatre Company (Metamorphosis, No Exit, Disco Pigs) brings a powerful two-hander to a new Sydney stage as part of the Fringe festival from 6 September. Directed by Andrew Langcake, BLACKBIRD stars Eleanor Ryan (The Women, The Catastrophists) and William Jordan (Metamorphosis, Enchanted April) and will play from 6 to 10 Sept at the new Off-Broadway Hub in Annandale.

Blackbird premiered at King's Theatre as part of the Edinburgh International Festival, in August 2005, and transferred to the Albery Theatre in London's West End in 2006. The production received the 2007 Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Play. In 2007, the play opened simultaneously at the Manhattan Theatre Club in New York and at American Conservatory Theatre, San Francisco.

"'Blackbird' is a fascinating play," says director Andrew Langcake. "The writing is raw and unpretentious; it genuinely feels like you're privy to this event happening between two real people in real time. The characters bare their souls to each other and the audience. I don't think it's an easy play to watch, and there are ideas within it that will make some people uncomfortable, but that's what I love about it - it's frank, confronting and uncompromising. It's a challenging experience for artists and audiences alike."

Blackbird by David Harrower
Starring Eleanor Ryan, William Jordan
& introducing Grace Truman
Directed by Andrew Langcake
Produced by Alexandra Voyage
Tues 6 to Sat 10 Sept, nightly at 8.30pm
Off-Broadway Hub, Gehrig Lane, Annandale
Tickets Preview Night: $12.80 Full: $22.80 Concession: $15.30 | Book www.sydneyfringe.com

Throwing Shade Theatre Company has made a name for itself producing critically acclaimed shows that are dynamic, compelling and entertaining. Our vision is to engage and collaborate with a culturally diverse collective of local artists to provide exciting, challenging and unique theatre experiences for regular and casual theatre-goers alike. www.throwingshade.com.au | www.facebook.com/ThrowingShadeTheatreCompany

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