Produced as a programme play text to coincide with the world premiere The play premiered at the Belfast Theatre Festival on 19 October 2006. Leo Butler was awarded the George Devine Award for the most promising new playwright for his play Redundant in 2001.

The Early Bird taps into the darkest fears of any parent - what if your child simply disappears? Debbie and Jack blame each other and themselves, and in doing so reveal the inner secrets of their own relationship in this disturbing and darkly humorous play. Butler's language moves between naturalism and hyper-realism, brilliantly capturing the surreal quality of the worst time in this couple's life. The play premiered at the Belfast Theatre Festival in October 2006.