Mother, Wife & The Complicated Life: The Musical

Finally, a show that tells the truth about marriage and motherhood. Because it’s nothing like the movies!

Mother, Wife and the Complicated Life is an new Australian musical which had its debut at the 2011 Adelaide Fringe Festival.

Conceivedin 2008, the show was written and composed by Amity Dry, who some may remember from the original series of The Block and her top 10 album ‘The Lighthouse.’ As a singer/songwriter and author of a popular parenting blog Amity originally created the concept as a one-woman cabaret show, which explored her life as a wife and mother. Mother, Wife and the Complicated Life debuted to a sell out season at the 09 Adelaide Fringe Festival, with highly positive reviews and audience response.

Recognising the demand for the subject matter, Amity decided to extend the show into a full scale musical, which followed the lives of four women. Jessie, who’s newly engaged and has a fairytale idea of marriage; Kate, who is ambitious, in control and unexpectedly pregnant; Bec, a stay at home mum of three who’s just trying just trying to stay sane and Lily, who seems to have it all but is hiding a secret.

In 2010 an early draft of the musical was short-listed for the New Musicals Australia workshop season, encouraging Amity to complete the show and produce a debut performance herself. The premiere performance, featuring a cast of top Adelaide theatre talent, enjoyed a sell out season and 5 star reviews.

‘There is a beautiful truth about this production. It is a raw look at relationships, parenthood, love and family and the audience hangs on every word. It's funny, poignant, sad and endearing.’Paul Rodda, The Barefoot Review/Stage Whispers

‘The songs are great, there are lots of laughs and the balance between poignant moments of love and despair, joy and frustration strikes just the right tone that mirrors ‘complicated life.’ There is so much to like about this show. Sentimental yes, but it doesn’t hide the fact that reality often bites. Highly recommended. Fantastic!’ Michael Coghlan, Rip It Up

‘This show is a gem - with everything about it just right! Every woman in the audience on the night reviewed were nodding, applauding and making “you said it” noises throughout.’ Brain Godfrey, Adelaide Theatre Guide

Creator Amity Dry says, “The response to the show exceeded all my expectations. There were screams of laughter from the first song, yet also moments you could have heard a pin drop. As a writer I wanted to show that, as parents and spouses, we all go through the same challenges and real life is nothing like the movies! It was wonderful seeing women come with their mothers groups, girlfriends, husbands, sisters and mums and leave having laughed at themselves, with the knowledge that we all the same.”

The show’s blend of comedy, truth and raw emotion clearly struck a powerful chord. It offered plenty of laughs, but the audience also responded to its inclusion of subjects such as postnatal depression, divorce and the fear and uncertainty of pregnancy and parenthood. Rather than a clichéd picture of motherhood, the show represented a realistic portrayal of the modern woman, who’s searching for the dream but wondering whether it’s really possible to have it all.

Due to overwhelmingly positive response the show is now returning to Adelaide for an encore performance, as well as dates in major regional SA venues.

Sunday 2nd October - Northern Festival Centre - Port Pirie

Bookings www.northernfestivalcentre.com.au or phone 8633 8500

Friday 7th October – Prince Alfred College – Anzac Hall - Adelaide

Bookings www.bass.net.au or phone 131 246

Sunday 9th October - Chaffey Theatre - Renmark

Bookings www.chaffeytheatre.com.au or phone 8586 1800

Thursday 13th October - Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre - Mount Gambier

Bookings www.helpmanntheatre.com.au or phone 8723 874

Sunday 16th October - Hopgood Theatre - Noarlunga Centre

Bookings www.hopgoodtheatre.com.au or phone 8207 3975

Tickets $39.50 + booking fee.

There are now plans to tour nationally in 2013/14. Says Ms Dry ‘I am constantly receiving enquiries from people who have heard about the show, asking when it’s touring to their state. I have also had interest from venues in presenting it, so the next step is extending its life beyond South Australia. I realise it’s no small feat launching a new musical, but I am passionate about the show and it’s potential for success, so I will work hard to make that happen.’

For more information please visit www.motherwifemusical.com.

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Win Tickets

Competition closed - we have our four winners - Rachel Dow, Donna Rowe, Nicole Seal and Stacey McGilton.

Win two tickets to the Adelaide performance of Mother, Wife and the Complicated Life on October 7 (4 double passes available).

The Challenge: Tell us something which complicates your life (in 10 words or less).

To enter, visit our contact form http://www.stagewhispers.com.au/contact and type Mother, Wife and the Complicated Life in the subject field. Then type your answer as a message. Our favourite entries win.