Interview: Barbara Bellman on co-creating BORDELLO THE MUSICAL
Brand-new show Bordello, The Musical will continue its development this month with two public workshop performances. Set in Buenos Aires in 1920, Bordello follows the story of a heroic Polish woman who fights to bring an international Jewish sex-trafficking ring to justice. We spoke to co-book writer and lyricist Barbara Bellman to find out more.
Bordello is based on historical events surrounding Raquel Liberman. What compelled you to tell her story through theatre?
Raquel’s story of a brave woman who risked everything to do what was right is exactly the kind of story that belongs on the stage. Her story is filled with emotion and occurs in the colourful world of Buenos Aires, so it cried out for musicalisation. Because it involves Eastern European Jewish women in Argentina, by marrying Klezmer and Tango, we have created a truly memorable musical palette, and together with this gripping story, Bordello aims to please audiences who want to be part of a unique theatrical experience.
How has the developmental journey for Bordello gone so far?
In addition to doing the several table readings and a 29-hour Equity reading with Broadway and Off-Broadway actors, our team presented selected songs in concert to an audience of over 400 members of Hadassah. Each time, the response was overwhelmingly positive, and our audiences kept encouraging us to continue to develop the show, with hopes of someday reaching Broadway and the West End.
What inspired the decision to include public audiences in the workshop process?
We wanted to hear the reaction of real audiences who were experiencing the story and the music for the first time. Their reactions really helped to inform us how to strengthen the show to make it better and better. We are excited that the audiences in London will now see the fruits of our many years of labour.
Can you tell us about the different musical influences that can be heard in Bordello?
We incorporated a rich blend of Tango and Klezmer melodies and rhythms that reflect the Eastern Europe migration to Buenos Aires in the early 1900’s.
Is there a song or moment in Bordello that means a lot to you?
There is a scene in Act 1 when our heroine, Raquel, sends her daughter away so that she will never learn about her decision to become a prostitute – an incredibly poignant moment of sacrifice where a mother must let go to save her child. This always pulls at my heart-strings, despite the hundreds of times I’ve heard it.
How do you hope Raquel's story will inspire theatregoers?
We want audiences to be entertained, but also moved and inspired by Raquel’s story and curious to learn more about this fraught episode in our history. We hope that audiences will be awakened to how ubiquitous the problem of sex trafficking is and that it happens in plain sight in the politest of societies.
