Centuries of song uncover family blood lines, through folk ballads, in this foot-stomping new musical
Ballad Lines (originally titled A Mother’s Song) began life in 2018, written by Finn Anderson and Tania Azevedo. Eight years on, the musical is making its London premiere at Southwark Playhouse Elephant.
This female-led new musical stars Frances McNamee and Sydney Sainté as Sarah and Alix, a contemporary New York couple enjoying full lives, flourishing careers, and a brand-new apartment. When Alix uncovers a long-forgotten box sent to Sarah after the death of her estranged aunt, Sarah is forced to confront what she has avoided for years. Inside are cassette tapes of recorded stories that open a door to the past.
As Sarah listens to the voice of her aunt Betty (Rebecca Trehearn), she begins to trace the women who came before her and to question what motherhood might mean for her own life as a queer woman in modern-day America. Through Betty’s stories, Sarah meets Cait (Kirsty Findlay), her 17th-century Scottish ancestor facing an unwanted pregnancy and Jean (Yna Tresvalles), a fiery Irish teenager a century later who flees to America in hopes of giving her unborn child a better future.
Blending Scottish, Irish, and Appalachian ballads with a bold contemporary score, Ballad Lines weaves one family’s hopes, sacrifices, and songs across generations.
It is a beautiful story, wonderfully told through foot-stomping songs with soaring vocals. It combines new songs with traditional ballads, performed live and reimagined for today, breathing fresh life into music that has echoed through generations.
The cast are wonderful with a special shoutout going to Ally Kennard who weaves in and out of accents in a variety of roles and Olivier Award Winner Rebecca Trehearn, who is always a joy to watch, as is her career.
My only critique of the story comes in the breakdown of Sarah and Alix’s relationship, which didn’t feel completely realistic. I wondered if they could have tried harder to explore their options together rather than what felt like an excuse not to stay together.
Directed by Tania Azevedo, this heart-opening folk musical explores the stories we inherit and the choices each generation makes to break, reshape, or carry them forward.
★★★★
West End Wilma
Running until 21 March 2026
The Cast
Frances McNamee (Girl from the North Country) as Sarah
Rebecca Trehearn (Showboat for which she won the Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actress) as Betty
Kirsty Findlay (Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour) who is reprising her role as Cait
Sydney Sainté (The Great Privation, Or How to Flip Ten Cents into a Dollar) as Alix
Ally Kennard (The Creakers) as Jamie, Thomas, Ronan/Dance Captain
Yna Tresvalles (Six the Musical) as Jean
Gracie Lai (Jersey Boys) as Morna/Ancestor (covers Betty, Alix, Jamie, Thomas, Ronan, Shona)
Siân Louise Dowdalls (Diana: The Musical) as Shona/Ancestor (covers Sarah, Cait, Jean, Morna).
The Band
Sally Simpson on violin
Isis Dunthorne on drums
Shonagh Murray on keys
Madeline Salter on guitar
The Creative Team
Written by Finn Anderson and Tania Azevedo
Music and Lyrics by Finn Anderson
Directed by Tania Azevedo
Set Designer TK Hay
Music Director Shonagh Murray
Choreographer Tinovimbanashe Sibanda
Costume Designer Carly Brownbridge
Costume Supervisor Molly Fraser
Lighting Designer Simon Wilkinson
Sound Designer Andy Johnson
Assistant Director Eliza Beth Stevens
Production Manager James Anderton
General Manager Kristie Winsen
Casting Director Jane Deitch.
