MotherLode

Seven women sitting on chairs face the audience, lit by candlelight and surrounded by a backdrop of projected stars - they pour their hearts out, as atmospheric music washes over them.

There is no stage movement; sometimes they talk just to the audience and other times they interact. The voiceover at the beginning explains that every word from this verbatim piece has been taken from actual interviews from mothers.

At first I was sceptical that the work would keep my attention but very soon I was drawn in. The women’s stories are authentic and perilous, and Dean Carey, who has now completed fifteen of these verbatim pieces, infuses a compelling rhythm into the drama.

Condensing 50 hours of interviews into 90 minutes leaves the impression that motherhood is an action-packed enterprise. There is no room for the repetition of day to day life in this snapshot.

The highlight is their reflections on giving birth. Most compelling was the performance of Monette Lee, playing a woman of Eastern European background. She shed many tears reflecting on the joy and perilous danger of bringing someone into the world.

The continuity of the work was slightly disrupted by a pause in the music, which extended for slightly too long and there was an unevenness in the standard of the performers.

But overall this was a warm and comforting experience in the theatre, much like a big cuddle from your mother.

David Spicer