So raw and so honest. This was a reflective piece of theatre
Babirye Bukilwa’s blackbird hour weaves together themes of love, gradual self-destruction, and inner turmoil. We first meet Eshe played by Evlyne Oyedokun. She appears to be a chaotic character, fighting her inner demons and dealing with loss and Evlyne portrays this so well. Evlyne shines here as she makes every moment of Eshe’s spiralling journey interesting to watch unfold. As a viewer, you almost don’t want to look away, worried she will completely fall off the deep end. It allowed for the audience to cling onto the hope that she might choose a path of healing, yet Bukilwa’s writing leads us to a more unsettling reality that sometimes, love from others simply isn’t enough to save someone.
I noticed the subtle use of water sounds and visuals as well as the imagery of a boat used to beautifully capture Eshe’s dissociative, dreamlike state. This directional choice, along with the disembodied voice of her mother Sissy (Danielle Kassaraté) was used so well to show the conflict within the character.
For me, the play’s strength lies in its exploration of the two contrasting relationships Eshe shares: one with Michael (Ivan Oyik), the other with Ella (Olivia Nakintu). Both dynamics are layered, offering different lenses through which we see her unravel. Michael’s interactions with Eshe are particularly well-developed, with scenes that build tension and deepen our understanding of their history and emotional entanglement. Ella, on the other hand, feels slightly underserved towards the latter part of the play. While the buildup between Michael and Ella’s dialogue is strong, a bit more time devoted to Eshe and Ella’s connection would have balanced the emotional weight more effectively.
Bukilwa’s is a brilliant playwright. Their words are completely full of wit, poetry, and laced with humour, making the heavier moments of the play even more impactful. The play’s comedic moments are well-executed, allowing for moments of relief amid the tension. And while the pacing in the final stretch momentarily wavers, the writing and direction ultimately pull it back, delivering a truly impressive and slightly emotional ending.