Blackbird Edinburgh (EIF)

[Nixtoall]

Don't see why they couldn't keep the same cast if, IF, "Blackbird" transfers to London. Lets hope both these things come to pass.
Everyone would be more than welcome to stay in my huge Hyde park mansion if I had one, but unfortunately my small East London pied a terre has never had more than 3 people staying therein at any one time.Nice thought though, Vogie.Best wishes to all Nick

[Vogie0]

Hi, Nick. Could you at least send one of your limos to Gatwick for a pick-up then? We'd love the Benz but will settle for the Jag, as long as that cute little 'bird' is driving.

[Katy]

For those of us unable to have made it to Scotland, Radio 4's "Saturday Review" includes a roundtable critics discussion of the play and an audio clip (hits @ 3:53) of the scene in which Una confronts Ray about the photos he took of her and the hundreds of photos she's seen online of other children. "Am I one?" Breathtaking to say the least.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/arts/ram/saturdayreview.ram

PD,
I can't listen to this. I think it has already cahnged to the current saturday's review. It's about Waiting for Godot. And, even the link in the search results takes us back to this Godot link...

sad,
Katy

Did you notice the original date of the broadcast?

[Katy]

If anyone can find a live link for the Blackbird stuff, let me know and I will record it.

PD, what did they say exactly?

Katy

[Katy]

I was already feeling really depressed since being back, bt this pushes me over. I know I shouldn't care so much... But after missing The Reef and now this, I'm ready to assign one of the members the task of trolling all the BBC Radio sites so that we don't keep missing these broadcasts. Any volunteers?

And, I can capture audio streams if someone can find me live links, so we do have the ability to archive at our site...

I've posted at various download sites about these and unfortunately, I've had no response.

PD, did you happen to capture the review? If so, would you be willing to share it with us?

Really sad; I feel like I've missed the party.
Katy

[pddavis13]

I'm sorry. I didn't have the presence of mind to record it. I saved the target to my music folder. A lot of good that did. Today's program just overwrote it. When I clicked the site's "Previous Programme" it went back to July 2. Hopefully, it will be updated sometime this week to include last week's edition.

In essence, the panel (which included Susannah Clapp) had a favorable reaction to the play. The acting was solid. Although Clapp said she could not sympathize with Allam's character and for that she thought it was not "emotionally moving." At least, that's what I recall her saying.

Honestly, I spent more time listening and relistening to the one minute bit between JM and Allam. Something about the way she says "photos" intrigued me. I followed by rewatching SMS. A productive day, to say the least.

[Katy]

I'm hopeful too. I've said it before-- JM's voice, esp in Blackbird is quite remarkable. Luckily, I have seen the play and know exactly waht you mean with "photos", but I aim here to archive all these things as useful references. I hate that I didn't check inot the forum until late this afternoon. If I had looked this AM then I could have captured the link.

I also worry that the "previous program" link won't be updated, esp as the one currently linked is July 2nd-- what about all those Saturdays in-between?We'll just have to see.

I almost wish I dated someone who worked at BBC Radio who would be willing to go into their archive and record the Reef and this review for us.

Katy

[Nixtoall]

I missed the forum,too,irritatingly-I was working and saw the post about it too late.Bummer.Another bummer is that according to the Independent "Blackbird"'s run has been extended to next Saturday 4th September, which makes the possibility of its being transferred to London even less likely.
Must just go and polish the limo and the "bird" now. Thanks for that Vogie.
Best wishes to all Nick
PS I'm on the box on Tuesday !

[warriorroc]

Sorry!
I listened to it yesterday, but as tried to save it on my computer, it only saved the link, not the file.
So I don't have it.
Sorry again...
See you!
Sylvie.

[Vogie0]

Hi, Nick. "Polish the bird". Is that a new British colloquialism? I wonder, whatever on earth could it mean? ...Hmmm.......

I popped off an e-mail for additional information. My best guess is it hasn?t been archived or will not be archived. Dates for previous ?Saturday Review? programs are not consecutive.

I shall report on my reply, if and when it arrives.

?Your platter pushin? papa, Porky Chedwick?
(A terrific AM DJ ? if any of you remember that! On WAMO AM, Pittsburgh ? Home of the Motown Sound)

[Katy]

From the Independent:
SECTION: First Edition; FEATURES; Pg. 39

LENGTH: 235 words

HEADLINE: EDINBURGH NOTES: THE PLAY BLACKBIRD KINGS THEATRE, LEVEN STREET THE EDINBURGH FESTIVAL RUNS TO 4 SEPTEMBER

BODY:
OVERVIEW

The world premiere of David Harrower's play, which sets out to 'test the limits of the moral world', as he puts it. Ray (Roger Allam), now 56, was convicted 15 years earlier for his sexual relationship with 12-year-old Una (Jodhi May). He has forged a new identity and a fresh life, but Una, now 28, forces an unexpected and unwanted encounter.

OUR VIEW

'A fine, thought-provoking piece on a taboo subject. In two extraordinarily intense performances, Allam and May confront what they experienced then and what they feel now. The direction is subtly undemonstrative, illuminating the apparent transparency in Ray's attraction to Una and her childish eagerness to be his girlfriend.' Lynne Walker

CRITICAL VIEW

'The great German Peter Stein directs it with a sense of pitiless compassion, and Allam and May give the kind of scorching performances that will burn into your memory.' THE SUNDAY TIMES

'I have rarely seen an audience watch a new work with quite such rapt attention. No one seems to stir in their seats, as we hang on to every word, every gesture of a piece that explores harrowing depths of guilt, grief and damage. This knockout show must surely have a life beyond Edinburgh.' THE DAILY TELEGRAPH

'The production is an unforgettable demonstration of what a truly great director can do with a new text full of its own living, breathing energy.' THE SCOTSMAN

Katy

[pddavis13]

I was already feeling really depressed since being back, bt this pushes me over. I know I shouldn't care so much... But after missing The Reef and now this, I'm ready to assign one of the members the task of trolling all the BBC Radio sites so that we don't keep missing these broadcasts. Any volunteers?

And, I can capture audio streams if someone can find me live links, so we do have the ability to archive at our site...

I've posted at various download sites about these and unfortunately, I've had no response.

PD, did you happen to capture the review? If so, would you be willing to share it with us?

Really sad; I feel like I've missed the party.
Katy

Katy-Did,
I'd be glad to offer my services. I can troll through each day and drop you a line to record and post the link on the forum.

As for missing the party, at least you got the opportunity to see the guest of honor. Such a thrill!

[Katy]

Thanks, PD, about the trolling. It all gets a bit much, in all honesty. I know the task is in good hands with you.

And, you're right-- of course, you are. But I wanted to hear her voice again.


Katy

[Posie]

Just wanted to say that this is my first visit to this website and it is looking good!

I live in Edinburgh and I too went to see Blackbird. I will probably end up repeating something that has been said in the many posts prior to this one. All I can say is how I feel personally about it and quite frankly it blew me away! Jodhi May's performance was utterly brilliant. I always knew she was a force to be reckoned with and having seen her live on stage this confirms this even more. I wanted to see her in the Seagull but unfortunately was on holiday at the time. On seeing her listed as coming to Edinburgh once more I jumped at the chance. I do have to say though that I thought the ending of Blackbird was exceedingly abrupt and a tad naff with the cheesy "power ballad", it almost seemed that David Harrower was in a rush to finish.

Now looking into more of Jodhi's work, any suggestions of what should be next to view? Have seen her in Daniel Deronda, Mayor of Casterbridge, Tipping the Velvet, Last of the Mohicans and a few others years back. Your guidance would be greatly appreciated

[Katy]

Posie, it's good to have someone from Scotland on the board. Welcome. I think you will like the people who post here.

And, I'm glad to hear that you thought JM was tremendous on stage as well. I've seen most of her filmed work, and this was my first introduction to her on stage. I was blown away, utterly amazed that she could be so much more than she is in film work.

And, I agree, the rock opera ending was strange. I thought that was more of Peter Stein's influence than Harrower's. I will look into that.

So, what day did you see Blackbird? Has the run truly been extended? The Independent is the only one to report that. I haven't found any evidence any where else-- the Scotsman nor the Guardian nor the Daily Telegraph reported it. And, the websites haven't made any note on its extension. So, I was wondering if it's true.

So, I would suggest you see A World Apart, which just had a dvd release here in the States. Or, Sister My Sister. After that, the Turn of the Screw.

I hope to read more of your posts.

Katy