Ballad Lines

Ballad Lines description

Three generations. Timeless ballads. One unforgettable story.

From award-winning songwriter Finn Anderson (Islander) and visionary director Tania Azevedo (But I’m a Cheerleader), Ballad Lines is a soaring new folk musical blending centuries-old Scottish, Irish, and Appalachian ballads with a bold contemporary score exploring the stories we carry through generations.

Sarah thought she’d left her childhood behind. A queer woman living in New York City, she’s long severed ties with the folk traditions of her upbringing. But when old ballads resurface, so do the voices of her ancestors — pulling her on a life-changing journey across time.

Spanning continents and generations, Ballad Lines follows three women bound together by blood, song, and choice. In 17th-century Scotland, Cait, a minister’s wife, wrestles with the constraints of her role. In 18th-century Ireland, Jean, a spirited teenager, faces an uncertain future. In 21st-century New York, Sarah is caught between the life she’s built and the pull of the past.

Blending original music with traditional Scottish, Irish, and Appalachian ballads, Ballad Lines follows three women across three centuries. Together, their voices weave a story of love, legacy, and the ties that bind us all.

Captioned:

• Wednesday, 11th March, 7pm

Playing at Southwark Playhouse Elephant

Dante Place, 80 Newington Butts, London, SE11 4FL GB (venue info)

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