In September 2019, in a small Colchester living room. Marcus, Nathan and Vicky met for the first time. Brought together by a love of all things Viking, we chatted over mugs of tea, and rifled through the mountain of research Vicky had been collecting for a few years on female warriors throughout history. Inspired by their tales, and one caffeine fuelled piano jam session later Blóðlína: The Viking Musical was born.

We parted ways and started to build the foundations of the show. We wrote our first song, marked out the plot and then... 2020 happened. Whilst the pandemic floored our plans to meet, in some ways it was the catalyst for the story coming together. With nothing else to do, we created songs and wrote out dialogue right into the heart of each night until we had a completed a first draft.

Fast forward a year and a half, and we were finally able to meet together again, putting together all of the pieces we'd collectively been developing over Zoom calls, Google drive documents and frantically garbled voice notes. When 2020 turned into 2021, we remotely gathered volunteers for a demo album, script read-throughs, and we had a more concrete idea of what the show would look like.

Blóðlína made its first live appearance to a masked-up audience at a scratch night in May 2021 at The Queen's Theatre, Hornchurch and from that reception we knew that it had legs. As the world came back, and we steadily released songs, we were talking to producers and finding out how to take our show to the next level. We also created some 'Proof Of Concept' music videos as we realised that our show sometimes can't be communicated through words alone.

Now after two and a half years of development, we are ready to share our creation with the world.

Set around 900AD, Blóðlína follows the story of two warrior sisters (Magnhild & Ingrid) as they inherit their late fathers mantle, fighting for dominance amidst broken relationships, looming invasion and all under the watchful eye of some interfering teenage gods.

As the show opens, the town of Birka say goodbye, by way of a traditional boat burning, to their fallen leader Omund and decide on who will follow in his place. Ingrid is the more popular of his daughters but it is Magnhild, the eldest, who takes the position due to her brawn and closeness with her father.

With Thor and Loki looking on, the town slowly devolves into chaos as Magnhild's leadership is challenged and the neighbouring town of Grimmurheimr, led by the tyrannous King Ove, plans to invade. Leif, heir to the throne of Grimmurheimr, is caught up in King Ove's destructive ambitions and as a pacifist by nature objects to everything his father stands for.

Having placated her sister and gathered an army of rejects to defend the town, Magnhild prepares to take on King Ove and his horde of berserkers. Were it not for the influence of Einar, Magnhild's spurned lover, demanding her attention at every opportunity, Birka would then succeed; but by the end of Act 1, the gods are left betting which of the key characters are even going to survive the show..

Our goal for this crowdfunder is to recoup the losses we have from previous campaigns due to fake donations and backers that fell through when money was being collected.

All of the rewards below are included in different tier pledges. Here's some more detailed information about what you should expect:

Early Access to Announcements

You will receive early updates of the progress of the show including casting announcements,  ticket info and any and all updates concerning the show.

PDF of the Script

It does what it says on the tin. We will send you a copy of the script we will be using for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Programme Credit

You're name will be featured in our programme at Edinburgh, to let everyone there know how awesome you are for making this show a reality.

Sheet Music of A Song of Your Choosing

Check out our album, pick your favourite song and we will send you the full score for that song as a PDF for you to play, frame or puzzle over!

Filmed Version of the Performance

You will receive a copy of the full performance of Blóðlína: A Viking Fight Musical from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Exclusive BTS Footage and Archived Development of the Original Show

If you're interested to see how the show will be created, then this will be a real insight into what goes into creating a musical theatre show and the trials and tribulations of an Edinburgh Festival show. In the higher tiers, we will also send you some of the original material from when we started developing the show such as deleted script material and concept recordings.

Signed Paraphernalia

We will send you some signed programmes and posters from the original cast of Blóðlína.

Merchandise

We will send you merchandise from the show, such as keyrings, clothing apparel, prints and more.

Photo Opportunity with the Original Cast

When you come to Edinburgh you can have a photo with the entire cast, in costume, making you feel like a true Viking warrior.

Personal or Corporate Promotions

Whether you're an individual, or a business, we will promote your socials, website or anything else you like to our followers across our social medias and be a part of our programme at Edinburgh.

Reserved Front Row Tickets

We will reserve front row tickets for you and a friend so you have the best seat in the house to watch Blóðlína: A Viking Musical come to life.

Workshop in Stage Combat

Coming from a Stage Combat background, we will be more than happy to give you a practical insight into how we create fights for the stage.

An In-Person Meet and Greet/ Personalised Video

We will have a session with the cast and creatives set aside specifically for you. We will take you out for dinner where you can hang out with us, ask us questions and get the real gossip on the musical so far. If you are from overseas, then never fear. We will send you a personalised video or even a video call if you prefer, it's entirely up to you.

Blóðlína is made up of three creators: Nathan Rees, Marcus Wood and Vicky Clubb. Nathan and Marcus both studied at East 15 Acting School on the Acting and Stage Combat course, graduating in 2019, whilst Vicky has over 30 years in the music industry as a teacher, lecturer, orchestrator, amongst various other positions.

Marcus Wood

Marcus Wood is a creative based in Southend-On-Sea, Essex and is the composer and co-lyricist for Blóðlína.

He graduated from East 15's Acting and Stage Combat course in 2019, and has scored many films and games over the last 7 years, but this is his first musical to date!

Combining his passions for metal music, rhythmic complexity and fighting for stage & screen, Blóðlína's soundtrack is Marcus in a nutshell!

Nathan Rees

Nathan Rees is an actor/ writer based in Southend-On-Sea, Essex and is the book writer and co-lyricist for Blóðlína.

He graduated from East 15's Acting and Stage Combat course in 2019. During his time there, he created his first show, Vic-Tory-Us which sent him on his writing journey. This is Nathan's first stint in musical theatre, and he is delighted to be creating in an art form that he began enjoying from a young age.

Vicky Clubb

Vicky Clubb is a musician based in Colchester, Essex and is the orchestrator/arranger for Blóðlína. After completing the ABRSM syllabus and winning awards for her piano playing by the age of 15, Vicky went on to complete a degree in Music, taught as Head of department and spent 12 years as Director of Expressive Arts.

A real life warrior, she regularly takes part in historical sword fighting tournaments and is one of a few armoured females in the sport. Vicky's passion and experience brings the heart of Blóðlína alive.

GRAHAM AND TOWNLEY PRODUCTIONS

Stephen Graham

Stephen’s first production was at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with Hauptman by John Logan, which won a Fringe First. He went on to produce John Logan’s first play Never The Sinner at the Playhouse Theatre, London. The production was nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actor.

Hilary Townley

Hilary’s acting credits include leading roles in acclaimed productions for the RSC, the West End, Broadway and as a founder member of Deborah Warner’s award-winning Kick Theatre. She has worked in TV and radio and has been a presenter for London’s LBC Radio on their popular Drivetime show. She has worked on the B. Supreme Festival for Women in Hip Hop at the South Bank and on the ground-breaking Dare2Dance programme. She worked with The Noontide Sun to produce The Double Bass in London.

Together Stephen and Hilary produced the critically acclaimed production of Shakespeare’s Venus and Adonis at the 2017 Edinburgh Festival Fringe and its subsequent run at The Rose Playhouse, London. In 2019, as part of Silksheen Productions, they produced Wireless Operator which premiered at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and subsequently featured and sold out at two Best of Festival Seasons in London (Park Theatre and Pleasance London). In 2021 they co-presented Jeremy Sassoon’s MOJO at the Pleasance, Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Website - www.blodlina.com

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pg/BlodlinaMusical 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/BlodlinaMusical

Twitter - https://twitter.com/Blodlina

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9eDqsxdHDy1-DUBVi5TBlg

TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@blodlinamusical

Discord - https://discord.gg/DnKGSuQcUm

Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/r/Blodlina/

Special thanks to:

• Our actors who took part in the very first demo read of the script
• All the singers and musicians who volunteered their time and talent to our demo album
• Stephen Graham & Hilary Townley for their mentorship and continued belief in the show
• Queen's Theatre staff and creative team, as well as the scratch night audience for their feedback and support
• Niamh Higgins, Heather Smith, Isabella Lake, Strike Fight Company, Valhalla Calling. Dimitris Kafataris and all those involved in putting together our proof of concept videos and promotional material
• All friends and family who have followed us on our journey so far, we couldn't have done this without you
• Everyone who backed our first and second phase of the project. You are the reason why this is happening!

We love you all!