Fifteen years prior to the play’s opening, Ray and Una had a sexual relationship when Una was only 12 years old. Ray served a prison sentence for his crimes and has since established a new life under a different name. Una, now an adult, has tracked him down.
David Harrower, born in 1966, is a major voice in Scottish theatre. Blackbird won the Olivier Award for Best New Play in 2007. Publishers protect these texts because:
If you found this guide helpful, consider supporting the playwright by purchasing a legitimate copy or licensing the play for production.
Many websites promising "free PDFs" of popular books and scripts are fronts for malicious activity. Clicking on unverified download links can expose your device to: Malware and ransomware Phishing schemes designed to steal personal information Aggressive adware and browser hijackers 3. Incomplete or Inaccurate Scripts
Licensed scripts are available via Dramatists Play Service or Amazon. blackbird david harrower pdf free
For a printed copy (Faber acting edition):
If you need the script for an audition, academic research, or a performance, consider these legitimate and safe alternatives:
The play begins with a violent confrontation. Una arrives at Ray's workplace demanding answers. Over the course of 90 minutes, the two dissect their past. Through a series of flashbacks (revealed through dialogue), we learn that they met when Una was 12 and Ray was 40. The relationship escalated from friendship to a sexual one, culminating in Ray being arrested and imprisoned.
| Scene / Section | Page Approx. | Description | |---|---|---| | Opening confrontation | p. 5–10 | Una arrives; Ray panics. | | “How many other 12‑year‑olds” | p. 15–18 | Una’s direct accusation. | | The motel room scene | p. 45–52 | Both characters recall their last night together. | | Una’s vulnerability | p. 60–65 | She asks if she is “too old” for him now. | | Ray’s breakdown | p. 70–78 | He confesses his ongoing feelings. | | Final confrontation | p. 80–84 | A bitter and unresolved ending. | Fifteen years prior to the play’s opening, Ray
David Harrower’s Blackbird is a gripping, Olivier Award-winning play that has captivated audiences worldwide since its debut at the Edinburgh International Festival in 2005. Known for its intense emotional stakes and controversial subject matter, the play forces audiences to confront the messy complexities of trauma, guilt, and memory.
The best legal option for most people is to buy a copy of the published script. The play is widely available in both print and digital formats. You can find it from major online retailers like Amazon, as well as directly from the publishers Faber & Faber and Dramatists Play Service. The ISBNs for the play are 9780571233199 (Faber & Faber edition) and 0822222515 (DPS Acting Edition).
While Ray has attempted to move on, Una remains emotionally frozen at the age of twelve. Her visit is not just for revenge; it is an attempt to understand her own shattered identity.
He has built a new life under a different name and tries to frame their past as a "star-crossed" romance to avoid the reality of his actions [3]. David Harrower, born in 1966, is a major
The has archived the Wikipedia entry and several review pages about Blackbird . While it does not host a full, readable script version due to copyright restrictions, you may find excerpts and early drafts in the Wayback Machine.
Both characters remember their past relationship differently. Ray rationalizes it as a tragic, forbidden love story, while the audience—and eventually Una—must grapple with the reality of statutory rape and grooming.
Ray served only three years. He argues he has paid his debt. Una argues that punishment is not healing. The play provides no catharsis; the final stage direction is simply: "They look at each other."
: This platform provides the authoritative playtext for institutional or subscription-based users. You can find the listing for Blackbird on Drama Online .