Mother Play is a by Paula Vogel based on her real experience growing up with her, shall we say , quirky mother and her brother in Washington D.C. Abandoned by their father the trio live a somewhat itinerant lifestyle, moving from one dingy vermin infested apartment to another over a long period.
Matriarch Phyllis (Jennifer Ludlam) is a complex woman full of anger and regret. Possibly alcoholic she dishes out both insults and fleeting compliments to her children but admits that ultimately she never wanted children. There is love there, but it is inconsistent.
Martha (Amanda Tito) is the narrator of this family story and is a contradictory mixture of courage, strength and self-deprecation. But she is also a fighter and deeply attached to her brother Carl (Tim Earl). He is the artist, the dreamer, the one with boundless optimism as he begins the exploration and affirmation of his sexual identity. Coming out as gay is one of the major ruptures this seemingly close family has to deal with post divorce.
This is a story that unfolds in an intriguing way. At first it feels as though we are watching a parody or sitcom. Phyllis is melodramatic, uttering hilarious lines such as “mother might just get through this.” The kids seem perky and the neglect and self-indulgence of the mother amusing. But over time, things darken. We get glimpses of the things that really fucked Phyllis up. The nonchalance and neglectful behaviour stem from some pretty dark and traumatic incidents in her past. She is also a woman of her generation – wanting change, but initially unable to accept her son is gay.
Ultimately, what emerges is a deeply emotional, funny, and incredibly sad tale of love, disappointment, and redemption.
This is a cast who work superbly together. There is a connection between them that is quite electric. From a couple of camp musical dance numbers through to comedic interchanges and some very bleak grief filled scenes, all three give steady and strong performances.
Mother Play is raw, fearless and very moving.
MOTHER PLAY a play in five evictions
By Paula Vogel
04 – 20 September 2025
Q Theatre, Rangatira
Presented with support from Q Theatre
Duration: 105 minutes, no interval
On sale now at qtheatre.co.nz
