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Birdsong (Saunders)

Short Play, Comedy  /  1w, 2m

James Saunders

Birdsong is a black comedy, set in a birdcage. The cage’s two regular occupants, Joey and Tinker, are very happy and contented. Their days are filled with long and largely meaningless philosophical discussions, interspersed with some whistling and heavy work-outs on the see-saw. This rather idyllic lifestyle is interrupted by the unexpected introduction into the cage of Trixie, a much more troublesome, rebellious bird. Initially attracted to her, the two males begin to realise that Trixie is going to make life increasingly uncomfortable for them, until she is set free.

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Birdsong (Saunders)

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    1w, 2m

Details

Summary
Although set inside a birdcage, with birds as characters, this play has universal connotations. Joey and Tinker are happy companions, sharing a cage, and carrying on long, involved conversations about life, declaring that 'confusions arise when language is like an engine idling, not when it is doing work'. Into their secure life is thrust, literally, Trixie. She is an unhappy, foul-mouthed, trouble-maker, who only wants to be free. Tinker has once been 'on the outside' and was loose for two days. Two days that meant hell for him and he was glad to reach the safety of his cage. He cannot convince Trixie that the outside is horrid and she starts chanting 'Freedom or death'. Joey evolves a plan whereby they can secure her escape by faking a fight. However, Tinker has been thoroughly rattled by trixie's chanting and strangles her in the mock fight. As he tells Joey 'she did say liberty or death... she'd have hated it out there...'

Tinker: A male bird 
Joey: A male bird
Trixie: A female bird 

  • Time Period Contemporary
  • Setting A Birdcage

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £30 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

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