Rehearsals are always an exciting time. It’s when ideas move from the page to the stage, and a story begins to take on a life of its own. This process feels particularly significant when working on All Blood Runs Red, which tells the astonishing true story of Eugene Bullard—a man whose life seems almost too extraordinary to believe.
It’s a tale that has everything: adventure, heroism, and perseverance in the face of racial injustice. Bullard, a Black American born in the early 20th century, fled segregation in the US and sought a new life in Europe. He became a boxer, a musician, a nightclub owner, and, most remarkably, one of the world’s first Black fighter pilots during the First World War. Later, he spied against the Nazis, worked alongside legends like Josephine Baker and Duke Ellington, and yet, despite his remarkable achievements, ended his life working as a lift operator in New York.
At imitating the dog, our work often delves into hidden stories—bringing them to light through inventive storytelling. In previous productions, we’ve explored well-known narratives like Dracula, Frankenstein, and Heart of Darkness, using a multi-layered approach to examine their deeper meanings. But All Blood Runs Red is different. It’s a one-man show, performed by the brilliant Morgan Bailey, and the challenge has been to create a production that does justice to both Bullard’s life and Bailey’s own experiences as a performer.
Morgan’s connection to Bullard’s story runs deeper than we could have imagined. Long before this production began, Pete and I had met Morgan in Paris, where he told us about his own journey as an actor working in France. Around the same time, Pete had been researching Bullard, a name that appeared only as a footnote in broader historical narratives. When I sent Morgan a biography of Bullard and asked, “Is there a show here?”, his answer was immediate—yes. There were too many coincidences, too many parallels, to ignore.
Creating All Blood Runs Red has been an experience that has pushed us as theatre-makers. The rehearsal process has revealed new perspectives, connections across histories and generations, and moments of personal reflection. Working with Morgan has been a joy—his performance brings both Bullard’s story and his own journey into sharp focus, intertwining past and present in a deeply moving way.
Now, as we prepare to bring All Blood Runs Red to The Key Theatre on 25th and 26th February, we are excited for Peterborough audiences to experience this powerful story. This is more than just a history lesson; it’s a play about identity, resilience, and the impact of storytelling itself.
Join us at The Key Theatre for two nights only and witness the life of Eugene Bullard unfold in this remarkable and thought-provoking theatrical event.
For more information and to book tickets, visit The event page or call the box office on 01733 852992.
