It began when I almost lost my son, and he lost a year of his life to drugs

Angela Witcher, Founder and Artistic Director of InsideOutside and writer/director/producer of the show.

Tell us about the show in 100 words or less

Drawing on elements of verbatim, physical and interactive theatre, this work will explore the myths and realities of motherhood from the highs to the lows and everything in between.

Anywhere Festival takes place anywhere but a theatre. Tell us about your venue. What is it about your space that adds to your audience experience?

We have two venues. The first is an outdoor space right by the ocean on Bribie Island which is very appropriate as the play is set on an island and will heighten the earthy feel of the show. The second is a disused reservoir, a diamond in the urban rough and a very sensory atmospheric venue which audiences love.

What is your creative process like?

It started with life experiences, progressed through lockdown as a series of writings, drawings and a collage, then finally crystallised into a concept. We are about to enter our major creative development phase adding in elements and characterisation that will bring the tale we have woven to life.

Tell us your origin story. How did your show start?

It began when I almost lost my son and he lost a year of his life to drugs. It was an intense part of my own recovery which I chose to share through theatre. This became a collaboration with a small team of female artists which explored motherhood as a journey, a challenge and a lifelong responsibility. We have related shared experiences to a connection with a character from legend, Sycorax, the witch who rules Prospero's island before he arrives in Shakespeare's the Tempest. We added in the characters of Medea and Circe (as retired goddesses) who provide comfort and guidance of sorts. Through a tight collaboration involving all the creatives working on the project we have included song, physical theatre, humour and poignant moments which we hope will speak to every mother in the audience.

Who is your perfect audience member? Who is going to LOVE this event?

We certainly wouldn't want to limit our audience but we believe the show will appeal mainly to women who are mothers, anyone who has a mother and mothers of the future. So pretty much everybody. It is also showing around mother's day so a great gift/day out in two amazing locations.

Is there anything else we simply MUST know about the show?

The Monster's Mother is an open, honest and often moving portrayal of motherhood with verbatim contributions from mothers of all ages. It will be like nothing else you will see in the Festival.

The Monster's Mother takes place as part of Anywhere Festival 8 May at Brennan Park, Bribie Island and 22 May at Spring Hill Reservoirs.
Image: Leesa Dexter Photography, costume by Olga Dumov.