BODY AND BLOOD to Open Festival 47 at King's Head Theatre
Inspired by the writer's grandmother who had an arranged marriage, Body & Blood, by Lorraine Mullaney, is a dark comedy that tackles a tough subject with humour and live music.
Body & Blood tells the story of an Irish girl who arrives in London in 1956 looking for her sister, who has run away from Ireland to escape an arranged marriage with a man "with a face like the Turin shroud".
But, instead of finding her sister, Aileen meets Jimmy, Uncle Colm's young drinking and betting partner. Jimmy shows her a new side of life, full of freedom and possibilities. Will Aileen choose this new life or return to Ireland and make the sacrifices required to stay true to her roots?
The drama explores the conflicts and culture clash that result from migration and the pull of traditional Irish values. As Ireland is on the brink of electing its first openly gay prime minister, the play highlights how far Ireland has come since the 1950s.
Second-generation Irish writer, Lorraine Mullaney says:
"When my mother got engaged to my father in 1960, my grandmother told her she'd come to her marriage with my grandfather with a dowry and cows but my mother had come to hers with nothing. The story always fascinated me.
"I'd love to talk to other women - and men - who've experienced arranged marriages - either themselves or via a friend or family member. There are many stories that haven't been told."
If you have a story about arranged marriages you'd like to share, contact Lorraine on lorraine@uncloudedmoon.co.uk. Lorraine will collate the stories gathered as research for a book. Your story will not be published without your express permission.
Performance dates and times
Body & Blood is the first play from new company Unclouded Moon Productions.
Festival 47 at the King's Head Theatre, 115 Upper Street, London, N1 1QN
10, 11 and 12 July at 6.30pm. Duration 1 hour.
Tickets at £12 are available from the Box Office on 0207 226 8561 boxoffice@kingsheadtheatre.com
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