Blackbird at the Royal Theater

Photo courtesy of Keith Ian Polakoff

“Shock!” the first line spoken in the play “Blackbird,” sets the tone

of the emotional drama, where you are taken on an emotional roller coaster between ex-lovers.

“Blackbird,” put on by the California Repertory Theatre Company, was

written by David Harrower and directed by Trevor Bishop, and was

inspired by the controversial case of Toby Studebaker, an American

ex-marine, who, in 2003, ran away with a 12-year-old British

schoolgirl who he encountered through an Internet Chat room, according

to the Cal Repertory website.

While Blackbird seems to be a story of betrayal, pain and regret, it

can unexpectedly be perceived as a love story – although an

unconventional one.

The focal character of “Blackbird,” Una, played by Cal State Long

Beach theater professor Anna Steers, unexpectedly comes across the man

with whom she had a sordid affair 15 years before.

This man, Ray, played by Cal State Long Beach comparative literature

professor Christopher Shaw, sexually abused Una when she was only

twelve years old. Now 60 years old, Ray has been released from prison

and changed his name the Peter in order to try to live out a normal

life.

Steers and Shaw gave the audience an emotional ride with their realistic acting. You can hear the sighs in the crowd because their acting made us put ourselves in that  dark situation.

Because of the scandal, Una was bullied and ridiculed as she grew,

resulting in her sleeping with many men after Ray left her.

While Una is portrayed as nervous and questionable, Ray, portrayed as

put-together and without regret, constantly justifies his actions to

himself throughout the play. He said he had come to terms with what he

did with to Una while he was in prison.

Una and Ray reunite in a grim, dirty office break room, where the

entire play takes place. The play is pure tension between Ray and Una

during 90 minutes inside this room.

The complex play leaves itself open to interpretation. Ray and Una

both have contradicting stories and emotions. Una hates Ray for

forever tainting her, her seeded love is revealed when she goes out of

her way to visit him.

The play became more intense as it progressed. The audience doesn't

know whether to expect violence or kissing, all culminating to a final

unexpected plot twist.

“It is a really intense play of a topic rarely spoken about. It made

me imagine myself in that situation, even though it is a really

difficult experience” Priscila Villapando, graphic design senior said

after watching the play.

Blackbird will show in the Royal Theatre on the Queen Mary until

October 12. Tickets are $20.
Just click this link to purchase!https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/cal/27175