Revival of David Harrower's Blackbird coming to the Tron

Source: The List (Issue 689)
Date: 21 October 2011
Written by: Yasmin Sulaiman

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Revival of David Harrower's Blackbird coming to the Tron

Pilot Theatre's production will star George Costigan and Charlie Covell

David Harrower’s Olivier Award-winning Blackbird is among the Scottish playwright’s most acclaimed works, but six years after its Edinburgh International Festival debut it remains a controversial one. Inspired by the real life crimes of Toby Studebaker, it depicts the meeting of a middle-aged man and a young woman 15 years after they had a sexual relationship – when she was 12 years old.

For Pilot Theatre’s Katie Posner, who directs the latest touring production of the play, this refrain from judgement is what makes Blackbird so affecting. ‘David writes deeply human characters,’ she says. ‘I like the way it challenges your thoughts and creates sympathy for a situation that in truth should be black and white … This really interests me as you are taken on a journey that has you questioning your feelings and challenges your sympathies.’

Pilot Theatre’s tour will star Emmerdale’s George Costigan and British actress Charlie Covell, and Posner plans to use Harrower’s poetic text to its full potential: ‘My goal is to create a truthful, dynamic and explosive piece of theatre and with a cast like mine I have every faith that I will achieve that goal.’

Tron Theatre, Glasgow, Tue 15–Sat 19 Nov.