There’s an athletic aesthetic to OUR BLOOD RUNS IN THE STREET, a balletic beauty, an acrobatic grace that belies the sad and sinister story while simultaneously bolstering and buoying this most affecting, evocative and emotional performance piece.

Assembled from interviews with individuals who have had first hand experience with gay and trans gender hate crimes in New South Wales over the last half century, OUR BLOOD RUNS IN THE STREETS is a verbatim physical theatre work exploring the cultural prejudice that finds execrable expression in the form of “poofter bashing”.

That these assaults were perpetrated is sickening enough in a civilised society, but the way the police ignored or ill investigated them is a shameful indictment on society as a whole, a stain on the fabric of our humanity.

Homophobic homicide, like the murder of Indigenous people, sex workers and women generally in domestic violence, workplace or societal situation, has an appalling historical record of police apathy.

The crimes born testimony in OUR BLOOD RUNS IN THE STREETS still haunt us, the victims are not at rest, and the perpetrators remain unpunished. The play makes a plea for those who committed these irresponsible acts to own their guilt, confess it, and bring finality.

An ensemble of seven – Andrew Fraser, Cassie Hamilton, David Helman, Eddie Orton, Sam Plummer, Ross Walker and Tim Walker – execute a smooth blending of skills in a precise interlocking of speech and movement that produces a thrilling emotional experience.

Directed by Shane Anthony, OUR BLOOD RUNS IN THE STREET is a lest we forget recognition of past injustice- a litany of the lost, a list that is throat catching and heartbreakingly long reminds us of this shocking legacy presented in finely drilled alliance of speech, dance, music and lighting – a coalition of arts that goes straight to the heart.

OUR BLOOD RUNS IN THE STREET runs till Saturday March 21 at The Old Fitz, Corner Dowling and Cathedral, Woolloomooloo.