Writer Ann Marie Di Mambro and director Ken Alexander give some perception into the up-coming revival of the much-loved Tally’s Blood.
What is the inspiration behind Tally’s Blood?
Tally’s Blood is impressed by my Scottish/Italian background. Bill Bryden, head of drama on the BBC as soon as advised me to put in writing what you understand and that I ought to write about my heritage. It’s one thing that’s near my coronary heart.
My dad and mom had an ice cream manufacturing unit, their dad and mom each ran cafés. Growing up as a part of the Italian neighborhood in Scotland, I used to be at all times round individuals with outlets and cafés, in order that impressed the setting.
Can you give a abstract of what it’s about?
Tally’s Blood is a few lady – Rosinella – who can’t have kids. When her sister dies, Rosinella brings her child daughter – Lucia – again to reside along with her Italian household in Scotland and brings her up as her personal. She completely adores the kid, and as she grows up, Rosinella struggles with the truth that she should let her go her personal means.
Rosinella is eager to carry on to her Italian heritage, and, believing Italians to be superior, she shows a bigotry in the direction of Scottish those who has repercussions for different characters within the story.
What does Tally’s Blood imply?
Tally’s Blood was the identify given to the raspberry or strawberry sauce on ice cream cones. Ice cream vans of the time had been typically operated by Italians – “Tallys”.
When I wrote the play I needed to name it Pane Perduto (misplaced bread) a mirrored image on loving a toddler that isn’t yours, however I wasn’t positive how the pronunciation would work. I used to be cautious about calling it Tally’s Blood as Italians don’t just like the time period, however the title has ring to it.
Are the characters based mostly on those who you understand or totally fictional?
As a author you draw on all of the individuals you understand. There aren’t any direct correlations, however I’ve definitely borrowed traits from Italian/Scottish individuals I’ve met over time. The names of Luigi, Rosinella and Hughie got here from our household.
Certainly the state of affairs that Rosinella finds herself in, taking care of her late sister’s youngster is one which I used to be acquainted with rising up.
The story of village elopement within the play, the place if dad and mom object to some, they’re thought-about married in the event that they keep out for one evening collectively, was an precise custom in my village in Italy and I do know {couples} who benefitted from the custom!
How does it really feel to see the play revived after 20 years?
It’s thrilling to see Tally’s Blood come to life once more. Ken directed a beautiful manufacturing 20 years in the past and I’m very excited to be working with him once more. It’s fabulous to be so concerned.
How do you assume the play’s messages will resonate with in the present day’s audiences?
As a drama, Tally’s Blood is a narrative that folks can relate to on an emotional degree.
It offers with critical points – prejudice, childlessness, immigration – issues which can be as related in the present day as they had been when the play was written in 1990.
I hope that folks will relate to the characters and the emotional journeys they go on.
Why ought to individuals come and see the play?
Firstly, it’s entertaining, it’s filled with emotion, however there may be laughter in it in addition to tears. We’ve bought an amazing forged lined as much as convey the characters and story to life, so audiences can anticipate to be taught issues and, above all, have a very good evening out.
Out of all the pieces I’ve written over the past 30 years, Tally’s Blood is closest to my coronary heart. I’ve big affection for it, and I can’t wait to see what Ken and the forged make of it.
Ken Alexander
How does it really feel coming again to direct Tally’s Blood once more after 20 years?
It’s a pleasure to be directing Tally’s Blood once more. I’ve been attempting for a while to get it off the bottom and I’m delighted that Ayr Gaiety, Perth Theatre and Cumbernauld Theatre Company are collaborating on the revival.
I got here throughout the play when it was first carried out on the Traverse in 1990 and I got here away wanting to search out out extra about Scottish/Italian tradition. It’s an emotional journey, however there may be quite a lot of laughter as properly. I saved it away till the primary alternative got here to do it on the Byre Theatre and now right here I’m once more. I’ve a real love for the play; its huge coronary heart, compelling story and characters.
What will you convey to the present manufacturing that you simply did (or didn’t do!) final time you directed it?
20 years older and with extra expertise, it’s good to revisit the play and discover it differently.
Making theatre is all about collaboration – actors, designers and different creatives all convey one thing to it. As a director, it’s about taking the vitality and concepts of the room and shaping it; recognising what to depart in and what to take out. We strive various things in rehearsal and uncover new issues concerning the story and characters collectively.
It’s about discovering the center of the play and how one can make it work now in 2023.
Why is it essential to revive the play?
The themes of immigration and prejudice are as related as ever, maybe much more so not too long ago with Brexit and the refugee disaster.
Scotland has at all times been a mixture of cultures. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries there was an amazing custom of Italians travelling northwards to flee tough financial occasions in their very own nation – they had been the immigrants of the day. Like in the present day’s refugees, there was suspicion and concern about how they might settle, however Italians at the moment are integral to Scotland – chip outlets, cafes, ice cream parlours are accepted as a part of our tradition. Food and drink are sometimes the best way that we uncover different cultures. The play displays on this range – from either side.
What can audiences anticipate from the present?
A very good evening out!
It’s an epic sweep of a narrative from the 1930’s to the 1950’s.
There’s quite a lot of humour in it – the Scots/Italian dialect is a scrumptious mash up that creates some actual humorous moments.
There are highly effective and emotional moments that recall actual life conditions. During World War II Italy turned the enemy, and households continuously discovered themselves on reverse sides.
Above all, Tally’s Blood has a large coronary heart, and regardless of coping with some actually critical points, it’s, essentially, a romantic comedy.
Opening at Perth Theatre from Thu 21 – Sat 30 Sep 2023, then touring to:
Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy: Tue 3 + Wed 4 Oct
Cumbernauld Theatre at Lanternhouse: Tue 10 – Sat 14 Oct
Eastwood Park Theatre, Giffnock: Mon 23 + Tue 24 Oct
Macrobert Arts Centre, Stirling: Wed 25 – Fri 27 Oct
Theatre Royal, Dumfries: Mon 30 + Tue 31 Oct
The Gaiety, Ayr: Thu 2 – Sat 4 Nov
