Theatre / new writing
After its world premiere, Bristol Old Vic hosts babirye bukilwa’s ‘…blackbird hour’
Hot on the heels of Amy Jephta’s critically lauded A Good House – which continues in the main theatre until March 8 – artistic director Nancy Medina’s commitment to championing new writing talent at Bristol Old Vic continues with another highly anticipated play.
Directly after its world premiere at London’s Bush Theatre, babirye bukilwa’s …blackbird hour comes to the Weston Studio on March 4 for a six-show run.
The play continues the narrative of bukilwa’s debut, …cake, which met with widespread critical acclaim for its searing exploration of the queer black female experience amidst intergenerational trauma.
…blackbird hour, Bristol Old Vic – photo: Seye Isikalu
Its central character Eshe is alone in her flat, unable to confront either going out, or responding to the well-wishers attempting to reach out to her in a personally harrowing time.
Billed as “a visceral and moving exploration of a queer Black woman’s call to arms for loving oneself when love has made itself scarce”, …blackbird hour is directed by multidisciplinary artist, educator and producer, malakaï sargeant.
Photo: Seye Isikalu
It features the four-strong cast of Evlyne Oyedokun as Eshe, Danielle Kassaraté as her mother, Sissy, with Ivan Oyik as Michael and Olivia Nakintu as Ella.
Lighting comes from Jahmiko Marshall, sound design and composition from Mwen, and creative captioning and video from Will Monks.
…blackbird hour is at The Weston Studio, Bristol Old Vic on March 4-8 at 8pm with an additional 3pm matinee show on Saturday. The show is presented by Vital Xposure, and supported by the Talawa Firsts programme, with thanks to the National Theatre. Tickets are available at www.bristololdvic.org.uk.
Main photo: Seye Isikalu
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