Mothermorphosis

A powerful one-woman theatrical experience revealing the absurdities of motherhood.

“One Woman tour de force” – Theatre People  ★★★★

“Bizarre Delights” – The Age  ★★★★

“Belly aching hilarity” – What Did She Think  ★★★★★

The artist formerly known as Liz Skitch, now known to all as ‘mother of two’, has teamed up with trail-blazing theater maker Maude Davey, to create a ground-breaking one-woman show exploring the changes and surprises that one encounters on entering motherhood. Mothermorphosis premiered at La Mama in 2018, played to sold out houses and received critical acclaim:

“You couldn’t ask for a show that channels the spirit of La Mama with more irreverence and passion” – Cameron Woodhead, The Age

Inspired by Kafka’s Metamorphosis, Skitch unpacks the taboos and challenges of transforming from a woman, into a mother. Comedic, dynamic and honest, Mothermorphosis combines intimate confessional and absurdist physical theatre with an exquisite soundscape designed by Chris Wenn, which features the voices of mothers who share a wide variety of lived experiences.

Utilising Skitch’s extensive experience as a clown, satirist, comedic writer and actor, the pastiche of performance styles serves to explore the inexplicable.

And yes there IS a live chicken in the show, hypno-birthing and nudity. This is motherhood, laid bare.

Image by Nayt Houseman.

• Production Team

  Writer/ Performer: Liz Skitch

  Director: Maude Davey

  Set Designer: Lara Week

  Lighting Designer: Richard Vabre

  Sound Designer: Chris Wenn

  Movement Advisor: Steph Keheo

  Photographer: Nayt Houseman

• Production History

  Premier Season: La Mama, Aug–Sept 2018, 10 shows.

• Community Engagement

  • Physical Comedy Workshops: Clowning, Physical Comedy and Satire.
  • Comedy Writing: Stand-up and comic characters.
  • Residency: Connecting with local creative mums through recording interviews about motherhood / capturing the community’s voice then run a ‘share your story’ theatre-making workshop (incorporating recordings). As part of the residency Liz can also provide an intimate preview reading of Mothermorphosis followed by a Q&A or a show and tell of works developed in the workshop, followed by tea and treats. (A weekend like this was carried out at Stratford Courthouse Theatre during the premier season in 2018.)

Images

Click on any of the thumbnails below to view.

Reviews

★★★★  “You couldn’t ask for a show that channels the spirit of La Mama with more irreverence and passion.” – The Age
[Read full review transcript]

What Did She Think, review by Samsara Dunstan, Thursday 23 August 2018. [Read full review transcript]

Stage Whispers, review by Flora Georgiou, 2018. [Read full review transcript]

Theatre People, review by David Gardette, 28 August 2018. [Read full review transcript]

Hugging Comedians, 29 August 2018. [Read full review transcript]