“love ain't something you just say, just this word - it’s something you do”
Blood (2015)
A 21st century urban love story
Presented by Tamasha and The Belgrade Theatre Coventry
By Emteaz Hussain
Directed by Esther Richardson
Designed by Sara Perks
Caneze meets Sully in the college canteen. The heat rises over triple chilli sauce in Nando’s. She makes her move in the sweet smoke of a shisha bar. A touchpaper is lit… but neither of them bargained on the lengths to which her brother would go to keep them apart. Blood is a searing and heartfelt new play by the writer of Tamasha’s Sweet Cider.
Set among a Midlands Pakistani community, Blood is sparky, funny and heart-wrenchingly honest. A timely and contemporary story, this play cuts through political agendas and goes straight to the heart. It lets us into a world governed by links to family and clan, as much as fiercely individual wants and desires.
“After the 2011 riots, I felt frustrated over the myopic portrayal of working class young people. It was important to me to write a play which captured the complexity of their lives and the brave, sassy way they negotiate their identity in a wider context.” Emteaz Hussain
Blood contains reference and possible depiction of violence and some swearing. Recommended for 14yrs+
Cast
Caneze Krupa Pattani
Sully Adam Samuel-Bal
Production Team
Production Manager Dennis Charles
Stage Manager Laura Stevens
Stage Manager Jane Smith
Creative Team
Writer Emteaz Hussain
Director & Dramaturg
Esther Richardson
Designer Sara Perks
Composer & Sound Designer
Arun Ghosh
Lighting Designer Aideen Malone
TDA Assistant Director Ryan Harston
Movement Director Kitty Winter
Casting Director Nadine Rennie
TDA Observer Christa Harris
What People Are Saying
"Wonderfully sharp, poignant two-hander...the performances here are never less than enthralling"
Time Out ★★★★
"Hussain writes this passion-filled tale with lashings of humour as well as intense feeling... This is a superb example of new writing... a fitting tribute to this company’s good work." The Stage ★★★★
“Sparky performances of youthful intensity, swagger and sweetness… there’s a piquancy here, a tenderness and a rough-edged ardour that keep us hooked” The Times
"Fantastic combination of exemplary writing, performing and designing in one" A Younger Theatre
“A fast-moving, funny and slick portrait of young love…Funny, touching and thrilling… beautifully played”
Bum On A Seat
"A superb example of freewheeling storytelling...Constantly uplifting, occasionally hilarious..stylishly poetic and deeply felt... A brilliant piece of new writing." The Arts Desk ★★★★
“Any presumption that Blood might simply be a British Asian reworking of Romeo and Juliet is quickly blown away in this immaculately written and precisely performed duologue that kept me absolutely gripped for 80 minutes" What's On Birmingham ★★★★★
“a beautifully crafted show… you instantly connected to [the] characters and this connection was never lost. Filled with twists and turns, it was a compelling piece of theatre” Love Midlands Theatre
"Witty, dark, thrilling and tragic; Blood has all the elements of young amor expressed through a charismatic performance and beautifully written story" SOOBAX
Take a look.
Blood: in rehearsals - Blog.
Observer Christa Harris has been sitting in on rehearsals for Tamasha’s new production of Blood at Belgrade Theatre Coventry. Here are her thoughts from the first week
