Play Details
Context
Place Premiered
Betty Nansen Teatret, Copenhagen (1995)
Artistic Director
Ian Rickson
Translated by
Maja Zade
Original Language
Swedish
Dates Performed
Thursday 18th September 2003
Jerwood Theatre Downstairs
Play Details
Synopsis
Rosa Sabato, a renowned journalist and writer, is the central figure in Lars Norén’s gripping play “Blood.” Set within the confines of a brightly-lit TV studio and the intimate spaces of personal lives, the narrative unfolds through Rosa’s reflections and interactions, revealing a haunting portrait of trauma, identity, and the human condition. Rosa’s new book, an autobiographical narrative, serves as the focal point for the interview, diving deep into her past experiences in warzones and under a military dictatorship in Chile. The play interweaves her professional bravado with personal grief, particularly the disappearance of her son during political upheaval, illustrating the profound impact of political and social turmoil on individual lives.
The play explores themes of identity and self-discovery, power and ambition, love and betrayal, and the clash between tradition and modernity. Formed as a drama with elements of tragedy, it employs a non-linear narrative to juxtapose past and present, highlighting the lingering scars of historical events. Audience members are subtly made part of the action, enhancing the intimate and confrontational atmosphere. The characters, including Rosa’s husband Eric and her lover Luca, navigate their intertwined lives, revealing the complexities of love, loss, and the search for meaning in the face of relentless suffering.
Cast & Creative
Cast
Francesca Annis
Cast
Ingrid Lacey
Cast
Nicholas Le Prevost
Cast
Tom Hardy
Translator
Maja Zade
Designer
Hildegard Bechtler
Lighting
Peter Mumford
Sound