Motherkind

Motherkind is a playful and powerful kaleidoscope of stories about parenting, the maternal brain and making space.

The vignette style show explores the early days, the fragility, the absurdity and the beauty of life. It taps into the chaos and conjures the calm.

Using new writing, comedy and song, these are tales of humour, challenge and discovery.

The mothers who make collective are a mixture of theatre makers and musicians who also work in medicine, occupational therapy, as a birth doula, an early year’s practitioner and creative practice facilitation. The stories come from our community our work and our children.

Motherkind explores adult themes including illness and loss. 

Audience Quotes:

“I need a recording of this play for moments of doubt!”

“As a non-parent, I still found it very relatable and universal. I connected with it. Loads of heart and vulnerability and I laughed all the way through”

“As a mother (and father) so wonderful to see real, honest, beautiful depictions of motherhood from body to mind to soul”

‘Witty and moving, entranced by the beautiful music.’’

“Loved the mixture of emotions, styles, stories, and interactivity”

“Powerful yet delicate, vulnerable and wonderful storytelling”

“I cried and laughed all the way through”

“Beautifully performed. captivating” 

About the work

Duo Lucy Follows and Claire Northey will explore the many stark contrasts within motherhood, in a musical piece of dark comedy.

Cathy Shiel will be working with puppets, object manipulation and sound to explore the maternal brain and those juxtaposing moments of parenting. With dramaturgy (or Drama-turkey as Cathy’s 3 year old has renamed her) by Bekkie Morgan-Nickerson.

The Day the Waves Came from Laura Bloom, is a piece of storytelling inspired by the remarkable true story of Ibu Sarjani, a woman who was rescued by an unlikely friend in the Boxing Day Tsunami that devastated her home in Ache, Indonesia in 2004.

Emily Heyworth brings us some new writing in a story about the joys, anxieties and terror of new motherhood told through the eyes of character Bel. Original version directed by Kayleigh Hawkins with Dramaturgy by Alex Keelan.

Alice Robinson weaves, plays and provokes throughout.

Please note: The matinee performance will be in an especially relaxed atmosphere and suitable for pre-crawling babies or at the parents’ discretion and neuro-diverse audience members.