Blackbird

15 years ago Una and Rochelle had a relationship.

She was 41, he was 12.

They haven’t seen each other since.

Now, 15 years later, he finds her again.

(2022)

This disturbing and moving adaptation of Blackbird, based on the play by David Harrower, poses the impossible question whether abuse and love can exist at the same time. The show breaks the silence about (sexual) abuse and its complexity and provides a thought provoking theatre experience.

Harrower originally wrote the piece for a man and a girl who had a relationship years ago. Catoo adapts this into a woman and a boy, creating a new layer that shows sexist gender roles. As a musical counterpoint, and as witnesses to the drama, constantly present, she adds a 35-piece live choir to bring the judgmental outside eye inside.