Be Our Guest wtih Marcus Wood and Nathan Rees (Blodlina The Viking Musical)

Marcus Wood: Composer and Co-lyricist Marcus studied Acting and Stage Combat at East 15. He supported his studies as a professional composer and lyricist – writing over 140 songs, a chart single (Belgium), 15 short films and 30 videogames. Working with Nathan Rees (writer), Marcus produced, edited and starred in The Other Way (2019) an award-winning short film which was part of the 168 Film Festival. Video games include Stellaxy, Randy and Manilla and Ghosts in Meatspace. Theatre credits include as fight director on Skin In The Game (London, 2019) and as actor/musician in Sanditon: 200 Years Later (The Other Palace, London 2019) where he met and worked with Vicky Clubb. They realised that they shared a passion for musical theatre and Viking culture and the idea for combining the two was the start of the idea for a new musical. Nathan Rees: Book writer and Co-lyricist Nathan graduated from East 15’s Acting and Stage Combat course in 2019. While there, Nathan created his first show Vic-Tory-Us. As a writer, he won an award at the 168 Film Festival for The Other Way, a short film (Fire and Iron Productions). He is now resident writer for Fire and Iron Productions working on short films and features. Theatre credits include Buttons in Cinderella (Gary Starr Creative), Benvolio in Romeo and Juliet (KeepIt100), Kostya Levin in Anna Karenina (East 15), William Shakespeare in Whack-A-Head (East 15). As fight directors, Nathan and Marcus workshopped the idea of the sound of live sword fighting becoming part of the percussive elements of the score.To facilitate communicating this to directors and performers they have developed ‘Swordography’ a new form of choreographic notation. Nathan has been passionate about musical theatre since he was very young, and he is continuing to advance his musical theatre skill set; he was accepted on the BML Librettist Workshop programme for this year. With combined passions for musical theatre, Vikings and thrilling stage combat, Nathan, Vicky and Marcus started working together and early workshops confirmed that there was a future in bringing to live theatre a musical rooted in Viking mythology and culture. Blodlina It is 900AD and two Viking sisters are fighting for control of their late Father’s kingdom. Set against the gathering storm clouds of imminent invasion, Blodlina tells the story of a tiny community bravely fighting, against all odds, for its very existence. Amidst broken hearts and shattered swords, romance and rebellion, the story unfolds under the watchful eye of two mischievous, interfering teenage Norse gods, Loki and Thor. Blodlina captivated audiences with its thrilling sword fights and a musical score ranging from haunting folk to heavy metal. It seamlessly blends modern themes into a story inspired by Norse mythology, creating a gripping new family musical experience.