Blood Relations Theatre Production
By Haley Zeller, Arts & Entertainment Editor
On Friday, March 28 to March 30, the Department of Theatre hosted Blood Relations by Sharon Pollock. Dr. Anna Andes directed the show, with Emily Rautzahn acting as the assistant director, dramaturg, and projections designer.
The play is set at the end of the 19th century, and it transports the audience into the mind and humanity of Miss Lizzie Borden, played by Annie Sullivan and Allie Rice. The story is based on the death of Lizzie’s parents, Andrew and Abigail Borden, who were quickly and mysteriously killed on August 4th, 1892. Lizzie Borden was put on trial for their deaths with a three-person legal team, and she was eventually acquitted of the charges after two weeks of trial. Although she was proven innocent at the time, it is speculated that she had motivations to carry out the act, given the treatment of women during this time period.
Emily Rautzahn said that Blood Relations was one of the most compelling plays she’s ever been part of for multiple reasons. There are no designated scenes in the script, so the play is free-flowing and ever-changing. “This makes the story and point of the play come to life in a whole new way,” Rautzahn says. “As an audience member, you are taken along with Lizzie Borden and see exactly what she’s thinking and how she feels as the action moves from memory to the present. We understand someone who had never, historically, been given a voice. We see what she may have been going through and immediately empathize and understand her emotions and given circumstances. This story is important, not just in 1892, but also in our current day.”
Throughout the play, Miss Lizzie is misunderstood by her sister, step-mother, and father. As a woman in her early thirties, she has yet to marry and leave home. Uncertainties follow her around constantly, with issues of inheritance, a visiting uncle, a friendship with the married doctor, and more. The pressure weighing her down is portrayed wonderfully by both actors, and it is symbolized by the birds Lizzie takes care of in her backyard, right up to the moment when her birds are slaughtered by her father with an axe.
Rautzahn believes there is a parallel between the limited choices of minorities, such as women, both in modern times and in the 19th century. “We understand the plight of a woman who had no choices, who was trapped, and we understand why she may have done it, however morally grey an area that is. This play strikes a chord–not just with myself, but with so many other people.”
The play ends on a haunting note and begs the question: “Did she or did she not?”
Although nothing about Lizzie’s actions are certain, it is clear that a lot of effort and excitement were put into the theater production.
“It has been a pleasure working on this production, I cannot stress that enough,” Rautzahn says. “This production has woven itself into my life, and, in turn, into my heart. This has been a labor of love for me, and working with the cast and crew in all the capacities I did is why I will say this will stick with me throughout the rest of my theatrical career.”