Produced by Vital Xposure.
In association with Bush Theatre.
…blackbird hour
Written by babirye bukilwa
Directed by malakaï sargeant
“This love word. Do people just use it when they feel sorry?”
Eshe hasn’t left the flat.
Loved-ones keep reaching out: blowing up her phone and showing up at her front door. They say they’re going to “save” her. She’s not saying anything back.
Until, in the dark early hours, surrounded by half-eaten food, dirty washing and a damn good playlist, she focuses on the letter in front of her.
… blackbird hour is a visceral and moving exploration of a queer Black woman’s call to arms for loving oneself when love has made itself scarce. Making its world premiere at the Bush Theatre, babirye bukilwa’s profound insight into caring and belonging serves as a continuation of their critically acclaimed playwriting debut …cake (Theatre Peckham).
Finalist for the Bruntwood Prize, Women’s Prize for Playwriting, and the Alfred Fagon Award
Supported by the Talawa Firsts programme. With thanks to the National Theatre.
Cast
Danielle Kassaraté - Sissy
Danielle’s credits include: 'The Architect' (Greenwich Docklands Festival/ATC), 'I Wonder If' (Young Vic), 'Till Death Do Us Part' (Theatre 503), 'Cake' (Theatre Peckham), 'The Curious Incident of The Dog in the Night-Time' (Gielgud/International Tour), 'The Color Purple' (Birmingham Hippodrome/Leicester Curve), 'Macbeth' (Queen’s Hornchurch), and 'Wildfire' (Hampstead).
Evelyne Oyedokun - Eshe
Evlyne is an African Caribbean Autistic Actress who graduated from RADA in 2016. Her theatre credits include: 'Autistic as Fuck' (Barbican 2024),'Cinderella' (Northern Stage 2023), 'An Inspector Calls' (UK world tour 2022) and 'One Under' (Graeae 2019).
Her film / TV credits include: 'RIPD2' (Netflix 2022) and 'Kirkmoore' (BBC3).
Ivan Oyik - Michael
His recent credits include: 'by their fruits' (Initiative.dkf/Theatre503) and 'Ludwig' (BBC One). Ivan's first professional opportunity was 'Blue/Orange' directed by Daniel Bailey for which he was nominated for The Stage Debut Award. Other credits include: 'Shook' (Southwark Playhouse), 'Red Pitch' (Ovalhouse) and a three episode story arc in 'Doctors' (BBC).
Olivia Nakintu - Ella
Olivia attended London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art. Her credits include: the role of Zadie in the short film 'Mango' directed by Joan Iyiola, Esther in BBC 1’s, 'Better', Jay in BBC 1’s, 'Am I Being Unreasonable' and Amber in ITV’s 'Vera'.
