'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.

babirye bukilwa's play ...blackbird hour is a visceral and moving exploration of care, belonging and of one queer Black woman's attempts to love herself.

It was first performed at the Bush Theatre, London, in 2025, produced by Vital Xposure and directed by malakai sargeant, before touring the UK. It was shortlisted for the Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting, the Women's Prize for Playwriting and the Alfred Fagon Award.

babirye bukilwa is an actor, playwright and poet. ...blackbird hour serves as a continuation of their critically acclaimed playwriting debut ...cake.

About the Author
babirye bukilwa is an actor, playwright and poet, and a finalist for the 2020 Women's Prize for Playwriting. Their plays include: ...blackbird hour (Bush Theatre, London, 2025; shortlisted for the 2019 Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting and the 2020 Alfred Fagon Award) and ...cake (Theatre Peckham, 2021). Author photo by Jennie Scott

Reviews

'Visceral and chilling... full-throttled... a formally daring 90-minute play, which pours out like urgent poetry... revelatory and disturbing'

* Guardian *

'Very powerful... manages to create a whole world of pain... bukilwa's text is a mixture of naturalistic dialogue, with literary touches of poetic imagery, references to pop culture and sudden shifts of feeling... a show that dives deep into the darkest emotions humans are capable of enduring'

* Arts Desk *

'Ambitious and uncompromisingly challenging... there is a gorgeous richness to the dialogue, which manages to feel simultaneously natural and charged with profundity'

* The Stage *

'Utterly arresting... bukilwa is a deeply skilled writer... unique and true'

* All That Dazzles *

'A dark exploration of the effects of psychosis on an individual's sense of self... tragic and replete with promise'

* Reviews Hub *

'A poignant and striking piece of theatre'

* Theatre Weekly *

'A stunning watch which will undoubtedly leave you feeling moved'

* Theatre & Tonic *



Book Information
ISBN 9781839044311
Author babirye bukilwa
Format Paperback
Page Count 96
Imprint Nick Hern Books
Publisher Nick Hern Books
Weight(grams) 110g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 7mm