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Bluebird
Bluebird is the fifth book of poetry by the mysterious and reclusive poet Birdland Slim. The book is a journey through the poet's favourite unrequited love, rock music concerts, and the joy of his children and ends with a journey to Thompson, Manitoba. The book begins at the beginning of the 21st century with poet on the down and out dealing with a broken relationship and alcoholism. The book takes a turn for the good when he is reunited with his family and life is good. The poet's alcoholism brings about the end of the reunion and sees the poet moving to Thompson, Manitoba to be reunited with his family. The themes of unrequited love, loss and sorrow are very much at the center of this book. It also deals with the process of mourning the loss of his grandmother and aunt Gloria. The book also has many moments of happiness and joy as well.
- GenresPlays
57 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 1, 2024
Big time BANGER. 2030 list
November 26, 2021
"I sometimes think that there is so much confusion and sadness and hatred and everything. just everything. broken. horrible. It would be better. It could just be simpler. If people said things."
March 5, 2022
I am playing Angela (Maria) in this for my A-Level and I'd really recommend it. I will discuss why it was good for me personally, why I'd recommend it as a performer/what you can expect if you're doing it and why I like it just for what it is! I'll try and refer to Clare as well because I know most people who are doing Bluebird would want to play her because it is a well respected part.
It works perfectly for me and my partner (Angela and Jimmy) because I am a Northerner that has moved lower down the map so we do sound a wee bit different! I'm not a Geordie/Mackem so there are some slight similarities and differences between myself and Angela but I really appreciate doing something different like that instead of just the same RP over and over again. Angela is also interesting to play if you want to challenge yourself to think about different tones and emotional fluctuations e.g. she's like a ticking bomb compared to Jimmy who is more reserved and mature (despite his own bombshell at the end yet to come out). She is playful, delusional, flirty, passionate yet vulnerable.
But 'Bluebird' is definitely one I'd recommend if you have mixed accents or if anybody is looking for any duologue to do, this has a couple because also includes the Claire scenes or the one with the Scottish man, or the other men so it's good for a couple of people wanting duologues, especially for two males or definitely 100% a female and male combination. I'd also recommend the Angela scene if you like experimenting with different ways of interpretation such as the iconic "pissy shite" line (always makes me chuckle) because you can say it quite aggressively or comedically. The Clare scene is definitely more challenging, emotional and raw. Her character is also older thus more mature than mine-- the delusional prostitute who wants to go to Santa Barbara! :) There's not always a lot of the Angela scenes easy to find online as much as the one with Clare, however, you can tell by reading the script as a whole that there's definitely something in there that's quite simple, honest and black humour-ish though heartfelt and relevant to society which is definitely linked to Simon Stephens' work, anyway. Because it's mainly set around the taxi, it's quite naturalistic and not a lot of physical theatre. But this is a good thing in my opinion. There are still interesting ways you can use it creatively and have fun with it. It's the kind of thing to do if you want the audience to reflect about their own lives.
I personally really like the play. I like how the characters are complex but basic and relatable and that you don't always have to show the violence for it to have an effect. I personally think it's underrated but of course I'm not a drama teacher and my opinion is subjective! :)
It works perfectly for me and my partner (Angela and Jimmy) because I am a Northerner that has moved lower down the map so we do sound a wee bit different! I'm not a Geordie/Mackem so there are some slight similarities and differences between myself and Angela but I really appreciate doing something different like that instead of just the same RP over and over again. Angela is also interesting to play if you want to challenge yourself to think about different tones and emotional fluctuations e.g. she's like a ticking bomb compared to Jimmy who is more reserved and mature (despite his own bombshell at the end yet to come out). She is playful, delusional, flirty, passionate yet vulnerable.
But 'Bluebird' is definitely one I'd recommend if you have mixed accents or if anybody is looking for any duologue to do, this has a couple because also includes the Claire scenes or the one with the Scottish man, or the other men so it's good for a couple of people wanting duologues, especially for two males or definitely 100% a female and male combination. I'd also recommend the Angela scene if you like experimenting with different ways of interpretation such as the iconic "pissy shite" line (always makes me chuckle) because you can say it quite aggressively or comedically. The Clare scene is definitely more challenging, emotional and raw. Her character is also older thus more mature than mine-- the delusional prostitute who wants to go to Santa Barbara! :) There's not always a lot of the Angela scenes easy to find online as much as the one with Clare, however, you can tell by reading the script as a whole that there's definitely something in there that's quite simple, honest and black humour-ish though heartfelt and relevant to society which is definitely linked to Simon Stephens' work, anyway. Because it's mainly set around the taxi, it's quite naturalistic and not a lot of physical theatre. But this is a good thing in my opinion. There are still interesting ways you can use it creatively and have fun with it. It's the kind of thing to do if you want the audience to reflect about their own lives.
I personally really like the play. I like how the characters are complex but basic and relatable and that you don't always have to show the violence for it to have an effect. I personally think it's underrated but of course I'm not a drama teacher and my opinion is subjective! :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 12, 2017
3.5 stars
This was a well written play, showing brief snippets and snapshots of people's lives wonderfully. It felt very human and blunt, right up until the final scenes between Jimmy and Clare which added another level of emotion and understanding to the play. Jimmy is such a fascinating character and the structure of the play serves him well. The ending left me feeling very mixed; satisfied in terms of story but on edge about Jimmy's character. By the end of the play I understood him, but I couldn't make up my mind about him which is something I rarely experience in theatre. This play is definitely worth a read even just for his character alone.
This was a well written play, showing brief snippets and snapshots of people's lives wonderfully. It felt very human and blunt, right up until the final scenes between Jimmy and Clare which added another level of emotion and understanding to the play. Jimmy is such a fascinating character and the structure of the play serves him well. The ending left me feeling very mixed; satisfied in terms of story but on edge about Jimmy's character. By the end of the play I understood him, but I couldn't make up my mind about him which is something I rarely experience in theatre. This play is definitely worth a read even just for his character alone.
May 2, 2022
4.5 stars.
A very sad play about loss and isolation in London. Probably one of his rawest, emotionally speaking. The first time I read this I didn't have a child (it was only a few months before I would find out my wife was pregnant). Reading again with a child of nearly two, it hits very differently. I can't imagine what that would feel like, and obviously I don't want to, but Stephens definitely taps into something primal with this play.
A very sad play about loss and isolation in London. Probably one of his rawest, emotionally speaking. The first time I read this I didn't have a child (it was only a few months before I would find out my wife was pregnant). Reading again with a child of nearly two, it hits very differently. I can't imagine what that would feel like, and obviously I don't want to, but Stephens definitely taps into something primal with this play.
May 10, 2020
Really good script that gives you an intimate look into the various lives that people lead. I especially enjoy how it is unquestionably carried by the "in-between" meanings throughout the characters' conversations. A powerful message that the script sends is the theme of how life goes on, and how all human beings are products of their stories, experiences and mistakes.
July 9, 2018
Brilliant characters & some incredibly powerful scenes.
The taxi encounters are sometimes slightly too fly-by to make a proper impact but it has the potential to be staged very powerfully.
Another seriously special play from one of the best playwrights working today.
The taxi encounters are sometimes slightly too fly-by to make a proper impact but it has the potential to be staged very powerfully.
Another seriously special play from one of the best playwrights working today.
November 28, 2021
Do you think it's possible to forgive somebody for something that you can never forget?
December 4, 2021
"And I don't want to adopt, I don't know what I would do."
"I don't even know how to love a child."
"I don't even know how to love a child."
January 18, 2017
I got the collection for Christmas, but thought it was more productive to just review each piece individually.
I think this might be a bit of a controversial rating, but for me Bluebird was just structured in a too... unsatisfying(?) manner? I really liked the different interactions in the taxi, particularly with Andy, Maurine and even the 'girl'. I thought these were all lovely little vignettes into the exchanges of a taxi driver.
However, the overarching story seemed rushed in at the play's conclusion. The slow reveal nature was kind of taken away by this scene that almost felt like a different play. It was too heavily weighed or something. I think I would've preferred little insights into Claire through smaller journeys as opposed to getting the whole dump of information thrown in 40 or so pages into the script - for me that just didn't work structurally and took away from the piece.
I didn't hate this by any stretch of the imagination - I thought the exchanges were well done and the dialogue entertaining (black comedy was particularly good), I just wish we had more of those vignettes and sense of a driver continuing to pick up fares and well, less of what felt like two separate plays.
I think this might be a bit of a controversial rating, but for me Bluebird was just structured in a too... unsatisfying(?) manner? I really liked the different interactions in the taxi, particularly with Andy, Maurine and even the 'girl'. I thought these were all lovely little vignettes into the exchanges of a taxi driver.
However, the overarching story seemed rushed in at the play's conclusion. The slow reveal nature was kind of taken away by this scene that almost felt like a different play. It was too heavily weighed or something. I think I would've preferred little insights into Claire through smaller journeys as opposed to getting the whole dump of information thrown in 40 or so pages into the script - for me that just didn't work structurally and took away from the piece.
I didn't hate this by any stretch of the imagination - I thought the exchanges were well done and the dialogue entertaining (black comedy was particularly good), I just wish we had more of those vignettes and sense of a driver continuing to pick up fares and well, less of what felt like two separate plays.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews