1. Prologue — Before She Was Scarlet 1/17 The Woman with the Scarlet Heart

Before Scarlet, there was a girl. Before the roads, the costumes, the judgement and the woman the world would eventually see — there were experiences that came first. Before She Was Scarlet is the Prologue to The Woman with the Scarlet Heart — an original 17-part fictional musical by Bluebird & Soul. This opening chapter explores childhood adversity and ACEs, instability, survival, girlhood, shame, safety, belonging and the ways early experiences can begin shaping how a person learns to move through the world. It asks us to consider what can be learned very early about danger, love, trust, attention, silence and belonging — and how adaptations that once helped a child navigate her world can echo into adulthood. This is where one of the central questions of the musical begins: What came before the behaviour we later judge? SEE THE GIRL BEFORE YOU JUDGE THE WOMAN. Don't mistake the road for the girl. Don't mistake the costume for her skin. A Bluebird & Soul work of ACTIVISM THROUGH CABARET — using music, theatre and storytelling to look more closely at experiences our culture can judge, simplify, moralise or look away from. ❤️ A GENTLE NOTE ABOUT THIS WORK Creative art and storytelling can be powerful ways to explore difficult human experiences, create meaning and begin important conversations. The themes explored in The Woman with the Scarlet Heart involve real and complex experiences including childhood adversity and trauma. This musical is an artistic work and should not be considered therapeutic advice, psychological guidance or a therapeutic process. If these themes connect with your own experiences, bring up difficult memories, or cause you distress, you are encouraged to seek support from a qualified health or mental-health professional or an established support service appropriate to your circumstances. ❤️ The Woman with the Scarlet Heart 1/17 — PROLOGUE: Before She Was Scarlet 🐦 Bluebird & Soul | Music for Becoming #ChildhoodAdversity #ACEs #WomensStories #MusicalTheatre #BluebirdAndSoul