Written by Paul Sirett
Directed by John Rwothomack
WORKS
BAD BLOOD BLUES (2018)
Theatre Deli Sheffield
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Clare Simone Holmes
Patrice Kuda Zambuko
Blues Man Rob Green
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Writer Paul Sirett
Director John Rwothomack
Producer Sam Holland
Digital Director Smart Banda
Designer Emma Williams
Musical Director Christella Litras
Lighting Designer Will Monks
Movement Director Lucy
Outside Eye Mojisola Elufowoju
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Theatre Deli
Arts Council England
Sheffield Culture Consortium
BB’s Italian Restaurant
Bad Blood Blues is an intense roller costa of a play, that leads us through a streamlined ethical, sexual and financial maze of questions. Paul Sirett journeys us with his fantastic writing by putting two strong characters centre stage.
An intense play that led the audience to ponder on ethical dilemmas, Bad Blood Blues was also a directorial debut for our artistic director John Rwothomack.
Written by Oliver-nominated playwright Paul Sirett, the play set the tone for much of the future work and creative collaboration of Roots Mbili Theatre.
Bad Blood Blues focused on the exploitation of Africans by pharmaceutical companies seeking to test new HIV/Aids drugs in trials.
Set in a research facility, it asks whether Africans were ‘guinea pigs’, why treatments were too expensive for countries where the virus was most rife, and how the integrity of medical trials should not outweigh the sacrificing of human lives.Bad Blood Blues was staged at Sheffield’s Theatre Deli in 2018, in only the second time the play had been performed in the UK.
AUDIENCE REVIEWS
“Thought-provoking, moving and memorable: a play which will captivate”
— Sheff Culture
“loved the music and the musician. It was beautifully lit and performed very confidently.”
“Staging, lights, acting, the story, the music all of it worked beautifully together. So thought provoking too.”
AUDIENCE REVIEWS
“I loved the rollercoaster of emotions it put you through, and how it made you think about societal issues.”
“ CAPTIVITY AND THOUGHT PROVOKING.”
“Well acted, pace of drama was good. Songs were beautiful and brought a different emotional intensity.”
BEHIND THE STORY
Photo Credit: Smart Banda
As a director, I aim to bring African stories, culture, and history to the canvas of theatre. This might include creating new pieces about and with artists from the continent, staging plays that already exist, or adapting classics to an African context. I truly believe the African - Subsaharan African - culture is not present enough in the UK’s theatre scene. As a result, there’s a lower rate of participation both in audience members and practitioners from this sector of the community.
I hope that the rich theatrical scene we have in most Subsaharan African countries can be emulated in my productions, and in turn - whilst representing - give families a reason to visit the theatre. and for those that might be interested in a career, give them the audacity to try.
TRAILER
Trailer by Smart Banda
Photo Credit: Smart Banda
Having a blues musician score the play is a unique device rarely seen in theatre. In this case, he is from around the early 1900s, when black people in America were still living in slave-like conditions, and he is almost an emblem for exploitation.
I was very excited to work with talented musician Rob Green to act as this spiritual guide for the audience, setting the tone with a slightly modern twist of jazz and blues. I just love the sound of jazz and blues mixed together and for me it gives a heavier gravitas to the play.
SUPPORTED BY
“I loved the rollercoaster of emotions it put you through, and how it made you think about societal issues.”
Audience review 
