Reviews
MOTHER: What a week that was! What a show!! June 7th-9th @Alma Theatre, two sell-out nights (the third one very close), three standing ovations and two outstanding reviews! We love the Alma (and the utterly awesome Olly). Thank you ~ we will be back.
Full Backstage Bristol review here: https://backstagebristol.com/review-mother-at-the-alma-tavern-theatre/
Full Stage Talk Magazine review here: https://stagetalkmagazine.com/p/29382
What the Audiences said ...
Catherine G: "Fantastic script writing and acting 5* - so real and emotional."
Jack N: "Dynamic, engaging, unpredictable." 5*
Liz B: "Totally engrossing - really got pulled in to the story ..." 5*
Nat G: "Believable, familiar but surprising." 5*
Phil H: "Excellent performance by Emma - held your attention throughout." 5*
Neil J: "Absolutely superb. Funny, emotional, thought-provoking." 5*
John D: "An emotional rollercoaster!" 5*
Jeanette S: "Wow! Amazing! Very evocative rollercoaster." 5*
Sandy P: "Absolutely amazing. Emma blew my mind - so good. Writing was superb." 5*
Marie: "Powerful. Inventive use of props. Very intelligent performance." 5*
Rosie C: "I loved it. So clever and beautifully acted.Funny, dark, moving - what more could you want." 5*
Graham H: "A nostalgic, dark comedy ..." 5*
Sharon H: "Brilliant, relatable. Very moving at times but great with comedy. Throw in well written and excellent performance by Emma." 5*
Mother
About
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”. From the mysteries of Grandmother Peggy’s tears to the tragedy of that funeral and the silently spoken words of a broken promise, Molly finally gets the chance to set the record straight. But which record? Which will you believe?
In an outstanding piece of original, contemporary drama, Mother is packed with intrigue and pathos as Molly is brought slowly, 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."
* Warning: Contains references to adult themes and some scenes of a sensitive nature.
STAGE TALK MAGAZINE 4* ~ "Mother is a hilarious, nostalgic and harrowing story of motherhood .. (which) transforms into a deeply personal experience that will shock and unsettle .."
BACKSTAGE BRISTOL ~ "Mother is a gripping piece of theatre ... told through the perspective of Molly ... deftly portrayed in a thrilling and entertaining performance.
It’s funny, dark and brings you in for a thrilling ride. This is all thanks to its clever writing combined with the wonderful performance of Emma Smart.
You sense after a while that there’s a twist coming, but even if you look for clues the script manages to keep the surprise hidden well.
Actor Emma Smart is simply marvellous. The writing demands a strong grip of comic timing, even when delving into some very dark issues. But, the standing ovation at the end was fully deserved.
Synopsis
A heart-warming and heart-breaking tale of one woman's journey into motherhood, marriage and mayhem. Strap yourself in for the rollercoaster ride of your life, as you trip with Molly through 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.*
david@softsod.com 07968691221