The third production of the Drama Mainstage 2019 – 2020 season opens with a twisted tale about loss and love. Blood: A Scientific Romance by award-winning playwright, Meg Braem, runs February 11 – 15 at 7:30 p.m. on the University Theatre stage. Filled with visceral imagery and haunting dialogue, Blood: A Scientific Romance is a captivating play featuring a rich cast of characters directed by guest director, Kelly Reay.
Twin sisters Poubelle and Angelique are bonded in both biology and shared tragedy after a car accident leaves them orphaned along a prairie highway in a pool of blood. But the young twins are brought home with Dr. Glass after their remarkable recovery, and quickly find themselves the subject of endless experiments. In a quest to study Poubelle and Angelique’s undeniable bond, Dr Glass’ questionable practices are soon scrutinized by a young doctor who might be the twins’ only hope for a normal life.
Canadian playwright, Meg Braem, has spent her career in Alberta, and is currently the Lee Writer in Residence at the University of Alberta’s Department of Drama. Blood: A Scientific Romance has received many accolades, including the winner of the 2011 Gwen Pharis Ringwood Award for Drama and the Alberta Playwrighting Competition, and a nomination for the Governor General’s Award.
“I produced the world premiere of Blood in 2011 at Sage Theatre in Calgary,” says director, Kelly Reay. “We were dazzled by the language and the abstract, poetic storytelling. We had worked with Meg on a number of other projects and Blood was another exciting opportunity for us to work with her. The play is very compelling and a great showcase for these young actors to sink their teeth into. I’m excited to be working with the script again at the U of L.”
The themes of Blood: A Scientific Romance draw from the tight bonds of the two sisters.
"Blood is a play full of heart and love. It's also very haunting, with elements of early melodramatic storytelling," says Reay. "I expect audiences' imaginations will be taken to some very visceral places."
Tickets for Blood: A Scientific Romance are available at the University Box Office, Monday – Friday (12:30 pm – 3:30 pm), by calling 403-329-2616 or online ulethbridge.ca/tickets. Tickets are $18 regular, $13 senior and alumni and $12 students. Themes are mature with scenes depicting graphic medical procedures.