description Blackbird – Una's confrontation speech (Harrower) Overview
This monologue is from Scottish playwright David Harrower's 2005 two-character play, Blackbird. In the script, a young woman named Una confronts Ray, a man who sexually abused her years earlier when she was a child. The intense, real-time confrontation takes place in a workplace breakroom, delving into the psychological aftermath and differing recollections of their shared history. The play is written for adult audiences and actors seeking challenging contemporary dramatic material.
help Blackbird – Una's confrontation speech (Harrower) FAQ
Why does Una seek out Ray in David Harrower's play Blackbird?
Una arrives at Ray's workplace to confront him 15 years after he was imprisoned for sexually abusing her when she was a pre-teen. She is seeking closure and trying to understand the complex truth of their past relationship.
How old were Una and Ray during the original abuse described in the play?
When the illegal relationship occurred 15 years prior, Una was 12 years old and Ray was 40. During her confrontation speech, she explicitly forces him to reckon with the massive power imbalance and trauma of his actions.
Did Ray serve prison time for his relationship with Una?
Yes, Ray was caught, tried, and served a prison sentence for statutory rape before changing his name and rebuilding his life under the identity of "Peter." Una's sudden arrival in the breakroom threatens the new family and career he has built.
Why is the play titled Blackbird?
The title serves as a symbol for the fractured nature of Una's youth and the lingering, uncomfortable truths of their shared history. It also references the traditional Scottish song "Blackbird," which holds specific, haunting significance for the characters.
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