Bloodlines: Original Musical Explores Love, Family, Genetics

Original Musical Explores Love, Family And Genetics

From the team that brought you “Right Dishonourable” comes a new show about how we define and redefine family.

Sadie’s pregnant. Sam’s the father (sort of). June’s the mother (as well). And as for the grandparents, well, who knows? As Sadie and June prepare to start their family they find themselves questioning the connections between biology and parenthood. Meanwhile, their best friend Sam is struggling with his own link to their unborn child.

Bloodlines is a new musical with book and lyrics by Cassandra Tse and music by Bruno Shirley, produced by Red Scare Collective. With a small cast that perform their own instrumental accompaniment, it breaks the mould of the stereotypical ‘spectacle’-based musical by focusing on bringing to life complex characters in an intimate, non-traditional theatre setting.

Director Erin Thompson says "this quirky, comical and touching musical tackles that elusive definition of family. You'll be taken along for the intimate journey of each character finding out what this means for themselves."

Composer and musical director Bruno Shirley describes the show’s musical influences as “Alan Menken, with touches of Sondheim and Jason Robert Brown for flavour. It's a rock show with a very theatre-y twist.”

The show will be performed at New Zealand Historic Place the Moorings, which Thompson says is “absolutely perfect” for the show. “We’re really trying to strip back all the usual things that people associate with musical theatre,” says production manager and writer Cassandra Tse. “Performing in such a small, intimate venue means there’s no wings, offstage band or costume changes. Everything happens right in front of the audience.”

The story was inspired by Tse’s own family history. “My mother was adopted, and recently decided to start tracking down her biological parents. Although the situation itself is very different, this sparked the idea for the journey that Sadie goes on through the play.”

Bloodlines will be performed from the 25th February – 1st March as part of the New Zealand Fringe Festival. Shows will be at 7.30pm at The Moorings, 31 Glenbervie Tce, Thorndon.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 concession, and $13 for Fringe Addict cardholders. They are available through Eventfinda, the Fringe website or as door sales.

For more information, go to our website: www.redscarecollective.com or ‘like’ us on Facebook at facebook.com/RedScareCollective.

ENDS

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