There was much anticipation for the latest Sydney Theatre Company production, ‘Blackbird’, by the British playwright David Harrower. The reason, the play was directed by Cate Blanchett.

In ‘Blackbird’, Paula Arundell plays Una and Peter Kowitz played Ray, who had a catacylsmic relationship some 15 years ago. He was 31, she was 12. Ray now has a new identity and wants to put the past behind him. Una can think of nothing else. The play starts with Una returning to his workplace for a confrontation. A titanic struggle ensues.

‘Blackbird’ was a taut, authentic drama. The drama offered no black and white perpective or resolution- Both characters were very flawed and vulnerable and contributed to creating the drama. Thn enigmatic ending was open to interpretation, but the overall feeling was to create an eerie, dark mood. There was definitely a big question mark over Ray, certainly the seeds of ingraiued pedaphelia were apparant.

Peter Kowitz gave a fine performance as Ray. A regular performer at the ensemble theatre, he remains one of our finest dramatic actors. Paula Arundell as always was dtrong as the victim. Cate Blanchett’s dircrorial debut was imprersiv, and the produiction valkes were strong, with good lighting, set and sound values. A rewardimg night at the theatre.