Rehearsal images released for major new folk musical Ballad Lines

02-01-25

Rehearsal images have been released for Ballad Lines, a major new folk musical making its London premiere at Southwark Playhouse Elephant from 23 January to 21 March 2026. The newly revealed photography offers a first glimpse at this unique musical production in the rehearsal room.

Co-created by award-winning Scottish singer-songwriter Finn Anderson (Islander, Streets) and award-winning director Tania Azevedo (Mayflies, But I’m a Cheerleader), Ballad Lines is a heart-opening new folk musical about the stories we inherit and the choices each generation makes to break, reshape or carry them forward. Directed by Azevedo, the piece blends bold contemporary writing with centuries-old traditional ballads drawn from Scottish, Irish and Appalachian traditions.

Leading the cast is Frances McNamee (Girl from the North Country) as Sarah, a queer woman in modern-day New York whose life is disrupted by a forgotten melody. Alongside her is Olivier Award winner Rebecca Trehearn (Show Boat) as Betty, and Olivier Award nominee Kirsty Findlay, reprising her role as Cait, Sarah’s 17th-century Scottish ancestor. All three performers previously appeared on the Ballad Lines concept album, released in September 2025.

Completing the cast are Sydney Sainté as Alix, Ally Kennard as Jamie, Thomas and Ronan, Yna Tresvalles as Jean, Gracie Lai as Morna and Ancestor, and Siân Louise Dowdalls as Shona and Ancestor, with extensive cover responsibilities woven throughout the ensemble.

At the heart of the production is its music. The score combines original songs with re-imagined traditional ballads, performed live on stage by an all-female band: Sally Simpson on violin, Isis Dunthorne on drums, Shonagh Murray on keys, and Madeline Salter on guitar. The result is a soundscape that feels both ancient and immediate, echoing across generations.

Spanning three centuries, Ballad Lines follows Sarah, Cait and Jean as they confront the same defining question: what does it mean to become a mother, and at what cost. Through intertwined timelines and shared melodies, the musical traces one family’s hopes, sacrifices and songs, carried forward by women whose voices refuse to be forgotten.

Formerly titled A Mother’s Song, the musical began life in 2014 following a joint commission from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and Northwestern’s American Music Theatre Project. An earlier iteration premiered at Macrobert Arts Centre in Stirling in 2023. This London premiere marks the most fully realised incarnation of the work to date.

The creative team includes set designer TK Hay, choreographer Tinovimbanashe Sibanda, costume designer Carly Brownbridge, lighting designer Simon Wilkinson, and sound designer Andy Johnson. Ballad Lines is lead produced by Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment and Kate Taylor for KT Producing.

Get tickets from the official site HERE