in the blood looked at the concept of embodied histories within the context of family, and the most important of personal celebratory events: the birthday

The work drew on the memories and life experiences of the performers, their family histories and birthday stories. It also drew on the stories of the parents of the performers with a disability: their bittersweet memories surrounding the birth and childhood of their family member.

Birthdays, like many family celebrations, are times of joy and tension, rebellion and intimacy… old wounds flare up, painful memories surface.

The production featured the use of an Oral Historian (local writer Elizabeth Mansutti) who conducted interviews with the dancers and their parents. These interviews enriched the devising process.

Presentations:

• High Beam Arts and Disability Festival, Queen’s Theatre, May 2002