7 – 9 June Read our review 8 June
A heart-warming and heart-breaking tale of one woman’s journey into motherhood, marriage and mayhem.
Trip with Molly as she uncovers a tangled mess of memories forcing her to the very core of truth itself. As she is about to discover – it’s not an event, it’s a process.
Written and directed by David Martin and featuring Emma Smart in her first one woman play, Mother flutters and shifts “like a badly disguised comb-over caught in a sudden gust”. Strap yourself in as you career down the tight country lanes of fate, through the mysteries of Grandmother Peggy’s tears to the tragedy of that funeral and the silently spoken words of a broken promise.
From date night at the Rochester Arms, to her desperate encounter with Dr Stephen Hill, Mother gives Molly the chance to set the record straight. But which record – which will you believe? In an outstanding piece of original, contemporary theatre, Softsod’s latest melodrama is packed with intrigue and pathos. Watch with Mother as Molly is brought slowly and devastatingly face-to-face with her own slender grip on reality. Somehow she must survive … and just as importantly, so must you.
Writer and director David Martin says “if you enjoy original, thought-provoking theatre, Mother will not disappoint. It stays true to our aim to create unique, contemporary drama, focused on crafted story-telling and high quality production, whilst raising the profile of important social issues.”
What’s unique: Softsod has a penchant for raising the profile of social issues and mental health matters, creating gripping dramas that both raise consciousness and set the heart racing. Mother follows strongly in the footprint of their previous offerings (newly written drama for stage); the daring and mysterious Fragile Man (Bath Fringe and Edinburgh Fringe 2017 ~ nominated a Mervyn Stutter ‘Pick of the Fringe’), the unique and heart-stopping UnSpoken (Edinburgh Fringe, Bath, Bristol), and the unforgettable The Ebbing Hour (Bath, Alma Bristol, Swindon Fringe, Everyman Cheltenham). Indeed, Mother is part three of a trilogy that started with Fragile Man, wound inextricably into provocation in UnSpoken and now seeks final resolution in Mother. However, you absolutely do not need to have seen the other plays to watch Mother – it stands alone, a beautiful, often hilarious and sometimes shocking hour and a quarter of extremely satisfying theatre.
Written by David Martin
Performed by Emma Smart
Contains references to adult themes and some scenes of a sensitive nature.
8pm Wednesday – Friday
Approx. running time 1 hour 15 mins (no interval)
The Alma Theatre,
18-20 Alma Vale Rd, Bristol, BS8 2HY;
Tickets: https://
www.tickettailor.com/events/almatheatrecompany/881551 or
call 0117 9735171
• Ticket Prices: £10.00 (general)
• Age guidance: Contains adult themes and some scenes of a sensitive nature
All tickets include a £1 booking fee
Photo credit: Softsod Productions
