After BIRTH
By Zena Forster
Directed by Grace Duggan
Oxford , The Northwall
AFTER BIRTH
This is a recovery story. Ann and her new-born have been detained without trial on a medieval plague island. Betrayed by family, sectioned and lactating, Ann is surrounded by grotesque doctors under the light of a blood red moon. This is the world of Ann's mind. Imaginatively staged, and packed with camaraderie, humour and original live music, after birth is a story of hope.
This life-affirming new play is rooted in real life testimonies of women who experienced psychosis after the birth of their babies.
“Samantha Robinson, in the lead, shines as Ann. With glimpses of actress Samantha Morton, charismatic Robinson carries the play with intuitive flare, excellent comic timing and a knock-out singing voice to boot. The two multi-character players Alice Vilanculo and Simon Darwen capture an incredible range and carry all of their parts with ease and strength. All three skilfully navigate the show as if they had been performing a 6-week run together. The simple and engaging staging and sound design too, liken themselves to a seasoned production on the West End. Up there with the likes of The National Theatre’s Curious Incident of The Dog in The Night-Time, after birth sensitively touches on important topics while capturing a redemptive story of healing.”
-Daily Info
“A funny deeply moving play about the miseries and craziness that new mothers too often keep a secret.” Kate Clanchy, Author
after birth was selected as The North Wall’s Propeller Platform production in 2020. The Propeller programme at The North Wall provides practical support for the development of exciting new work which begins its life in Oxfordshire, supporting brilliant companies and artists in the region who deserve to have their work seen by a wider audience.