M.A.

Maria De Marco stars in this personal confession of addiction, dependency, and dedication to her controlling and manipulating matriarch, during her first visit to “Mothers Anonymous” [M.A.].

De Marco is captivating and most likable from the moment she stumbles onto the stage and with her all the way is her ever-present mother, even though we never actually see her. Through vivid and humourous story-telling we follow Maria from her earliest memory of her mother, the ‘stare’, right through to her revelation of her real relationship with her. Music and songs are integral to this journey and there is a mix of existing material and original songs. Sondheim and Kander and Ebb fans may be pleasantly surprised or gritting their teeth at the reworked score under some of their classics. The additional lyrics are cleverly constructed to adapt them to the setting of the piece and advance the storytelling successfully.

The simple set, consisting of several chairs and a table, is reasonably realistic and the black and white colour scheme is smart and effective.

M.A. is described as a ‘Caba-MA-ret’ but it plays almost like a mini- musical. The action begins with the session being introduced by a mature gentleman with a strong European accent who explains the rules of the Mothers Anonymous meeting only to be interrupted by De Marco’s late arrival. He continues to appear throughout the piece and provides a good base for her to work off. Whilst the songs are well performed by De Marco and showcase her voice successfully, it is her natural ability for story-telling and detailed facial expressions that really keep the interest and attention, and draw the audience in.

A labour of love, it is clear De Marco holds the piece very close to her heart, but it is her ability to look at herself and realise her own place within this family relationship that is quite humbling and endearing. There is something in this relationship that exists in our own parental relations and whilst we are watching Maria sort out hers we are inwardly comparing and evaluating our own.

Maria De Marco is humourous and very entertaining in this 90 minute journey that gives insight, more than a few laughs and hopefully some peace and resolution for all.

James Stevenson

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