Where the Blood Mixes March 23 - April 3 in the NAC Studio

Can a person survive his/her past? Can a people survive its history? Though torn down years ago, the memories of residential schools still live deep inside the hearts of the First Nations people. Floyd is a man who has lost everyone he holds most dear. Now after more than two decades, his daughter Christine returns home to reunite with her father – and together, confront the pains of the past.

Set during the salmon run where the Fraser and Thompson Rivers meet, Kevin Loring’s Where the Blood Mixes is brutally honest, irreverently funny and everything in between. The play goes beneath the surface of one of Canada’s darkest secrets and celebrates its survivors. The play earned Kevin Loring, a member of the Nlakapmux (Thompson) First Nation and a NAC English Theatre Playwright in Residence, the 2009 Governor General’s Literary Award for Drama.

Where the Blood Mixes was a hit at the Luminato Festival in Toronto, before its western premiere at Magnetic North Theatre Festival 2008 in Vancouver. At that time, the Federal government was working with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission on the residential school experience. The day the play opened at the Magnetic North Theatre Festival was (magically enough) the day that the Government of Canada apologized to Aboriginals in the House of Commons.
A remount of the production, in association with Kevin Loring’s company, The Savage Society, has been on national tour as part of the 2010 Cultural Olympiad. It will be playing Victoria, Vancouver, Winnipeg, and Toronto as well as here at the NAC.
Belfry Theatre (Victoria)                                                        January 19 – February 21, 2010
Cultural Olympiad at the Firehall Theatre (Vancouver)                           February 24 – March 6, 2010
Prairie Theatre Exchange (Winnipeg)                                              March 11 – March 20, 2010
Factory Theatre (Toronto)                                                        April 7 – April 18, 2010
Where the Blood Mixes’ wonderful cast includes Billy Merasty, Ben Cardinal, Kim Harvey, Tom McBeath and Margo Kane. Joining Director Glynis Leyshon are Set Designer Robert Lewis, Costume Designer Patricia Smith, Lighting Designer Itai Erdal, Projection Designer Jamie Nesbitt, Visual Artist Carl Stromquist and Composer Jason Burnstick. The Stage Manager is Joanne P.B. Smith.
Where the Blood Mixes was co-developed by the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company, Luminato, Toronto Festival of Arts & Creativity, The Savage Society and Western Canada Theatre (Kamloops).

Where the Blood Mixes plays in the NAC Studio March 23 – April 3, 2010

Previews:       Tuesday, March 23 and Wednesday, March 24
Opening:        Thursday, March 25
Hinterview:     Saturday, March 27 at 1 p.m. in the NAC Salon.
NAC English Theatre Artistic Director Peter Hinton will be interviewing Where the Blood Mixes playwright and NAC English Theatre Playwright in Residence, Kevin Loring.
Talkbacks:      Wednesday, March 31 and Thursday, April 1
In the NAC Studio:      Evening performances Tuesday through Saturday at 8 p.m.
        Saturday matinees are at 2 p.m. (no performances on Sunday or Monday)
Adults: $36 Previews: $23
Groups of 10+ receive great discounts! For more information contact grp@nac-cna.ca or
visit our webpage.
Tickets are available for purchase:
In person at the NAC Box Office
At all Ticketmaster outlets
By telephone from Ticketmaster, (613) 755-1111
Online through the Ticketmaster link on the NAC’s website (www.nac-cna.ca)
A service charge applies on all purchases made through Ticketmaster
You can find out more about NAC English Theatre, find us on Facebook and YouTube. To catch more about Where the Blood Mixes click www.nac-cna.ca/en/theatre/0910/wherethebloodmixes.
This production is eligible for the Live Rush program.
Full-time students age 13-29 with valid Live Rush membership may buy up to 2 tickets per performance at the discounted price of only $11 per ticket. Live Rush tickets are available from 10 a.m. on the day before the performance to 6 p.m. the day of the performance.This includes all available seats, including the best seats in the house.
Check out liverush.ca for information on the Live Rush program.
For any information, please call:
Sean Fitzpatrick, Communications Officer, National Arts Centre English Theatre
613-947-7000 ext. 389; e-mail: sfitzpat@nac-cna.ca
or visit the NAC website at www.nac-cna.ca

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