BIRTHby Theatre Re
Thu 14th and Fri 15th Oct
Pregnancy loss is experienced by a great number of women. What the parents go through is rarely discussed and often considered taboo. It is part of the realm of the ‘unspoken’, or the ‘unvoiced’. It is buried.
Over fifteen months of development we explored the idea of secrets in families, unearthing the parallels between our own lives and the lives of our parents and grandparents. We engaged through interviews and workshops with women and families who have experienced pregnancy loss. We also collaborated with UCL Neuroscience Professor Kate Jeffery and Dr Graeme A. Forbes, lecturer in philosophy at the University of Kent, to explore the questions of ‘what is being passed down from one generation to the next’ and ‘when does memory begin’?
BIRTH is the story of Sue, Katherine and Emily, three generations of women from the same family whose lives are part of an invisible web they help to weave. It traces their journey of self-discovery, acceptance and hope.
Press‘Ravishingly beautiful, spellbinding piece of work, performed with panache and utter conviction’ ★★★★★ The Arts Desk
‘BIRTH is nothing short of a masterpiece’ ★★★★★ Theatre Weekly
‘Truly deserved the standing ovation it got, as people were moved to tears and rendered speechless’★★★★★ Broadway Baby
‘Wonderfully human and tremendously moving’★★★★★ Theatre Box
‘Clever and beautiful… a stunning piece of theatre’★★★★★ Fringe Review
‘An emotional story that cries out to be heard… An absolute must-see’ ★★★★★ Mind the Blog
‘An epic dance of life’s ongoing journey’ ★★★★ The Scotsman
‘Arpeggios leap as emotion soar… A quietly charged watch’ ★★★★ WhatsOnStage
‘A powerful, pulsating 75 minutes… BIRTH swells and subsides like a symphony’ ★★★★ The Stage
‘Moving, painful and uplifting in equal parts, BIRTH is a sensitive and beautiful exploration of humanity’s most universal experiences’ ★★★★ FEST
‘A masterclass in physical theatre storyteling… feeling like magic to watch’ ★★★★ ThreeWeeks
‘Graceful, poignant and impregnated with hope’ ★★★★ Ed Fest Mag
Nominations and awards at EdFringe 2019:BEST THEATRE Theatre WeeklyNominated BEST THEATRE Broadway WorldIncluded in the BEST THEATRE round up by FESTIncluded in the BEST THEATRE round up by Theatre Bubble