Wed 29 May - Fri 31 May
Birthmarked
THE STAGE “joyful, life-affirming show” ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A young Jehovah’s Witness comes to terms with his sexuality and finds his feet (and high heels…) in a world he once believed would be destroyed at Armageddon. Birthmarked is a new concept gig written and performed by Brook Tate and his grand ol’ band of pals. With original music likened to Stevie Wonder and Joni Mitchell, alongside a whale, a paintbrush and a pair of tap shoes, he hopes to shine a light on what it means to be marked… at birth. Written and composed by Brook Tate. Directed by Sally Cookson.
Supported by Frances and Craig Wilson and the Stage One Bursary Scheme for New Producers. Commissioned by Bristol Old Vic and developed in association with MAYK. Originally commissioned by The Wardrobe Ensemble.
CREATIVE TEAM:
Writer & Composer: Brook Tate (he/they) – Bristol Director: Sally Cookson (she/her) – Bristol Designer: Max Johns (he/they) – Bristol Lighting Designer: Jai Morjaria (he/him) Musical Director: John O’Hara (he/him) – Bristol Puppetry Director: Chris Pirie (he/him) – Bristol Dramaturg: Marietta Kirkbride (she/her) – Bristol Costume Supervisor: Sophia Khan (she/her) – Bristol Outside Eye: Travis Alabanza (they/them) – Bristol/London Associate Director: Sarah Fielding Associate Lighting Designer: Luca Panetta Associate Designer: Jacob Lucy Production Manager: Ed Borgnis (he/him) – Bristol Stage Manager: Rachel Bell (she/her) – Bristol Sound No. 1: Tom Crosley-Thorne (he/him) ASM: Eve Richardson (she/her) Producer: Hannah Smith (she/her) – London
CHECK OUT THE STUNNING REVIEWS
THE STAGE “joyful, life-affirming show” ⭐⭐⭐⭐
THE GUARDIAN “Sincerity, generosity & glorious cheek…bursting with revelation”⭐⭐⭐⭐
FEST “joyous” ⭐⭐⭐⭐
THEATRE WEEKLY “a touching story told with real heart“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
BRISTOL 24/7 “an extraordinary show, and Brook Tate is an extraordinary man.”
AUIDENCE MEMBER “Best choice I could have possibly made. Such a brave and beautiful, personal story.”
GALLERY
VIDEOS
QUOTE FROM THE BOOK
A semi-improvised-autobiographical-piece-of-musical-gig-theatre that I first put together in September 2021. It then drew the attention of theatre director Sally Cookson (Jane Eyre, A Monster Calls). It has received support from The National Theatre and was staged at The Bristol Old Vic in May 2022 as part of Mayfest, Bristol’s international theatre festival.
With a band of five pals, a whale, a giraffe, and eventually a tap dancing zebra, I tell my story of being excommunicated from my family’s religion, the Jehovah’s Witnesses, and hope to spread awareness for those who have experienced similar circumstances.
The reception from audiences in Bristol was way beyond what I could have expected, and we are thrilled to be able to bring the show back bigger and better as part of the Horizon showcase.
