News: Olivier Award-winning writer of Emilia pens new play with world premiere announced

A brand new play from the Olivier Award-winning writer of Emilia and acclaimed producer of Fleabag and Baby Reindeer is set to receive its world premiere this year. MUM will open at Theatre Royal Plymouth in September before transferring to London’s Soho Theatre in October.

A provocative and unflinching portrayal of mental health and early motherhood, MUM will run at the Plymouth venue from 30 September to 16 October before shifting to London from 20 October to 20 November.

The play is penned by Morgan Lloyd Malcolm, the Olivier Award-winning writer behind Emilia, which premiered at Shakespeare’s Globe before enjoying a stellar West End season. It will be directed by Abigail Graham, whose credits include the upcoming Aladdin at Lyric Hammersmith.

An unmissable and urgent new play, MUM is presented in collaboration with Francesca Moody Productions, the original producer of smash-hit Fleabag and the Olivier Award-winning play Baby Reindeer.

All you wanted was one night of unbroken sleep, what have you done?

Motherhood. No one can prepare you for it. No matter how much you tell yourself you can do it – can you? Where’s the rush of love? When will you sleep again? What if the thing you fear most is also the thing you crave? All you wanted was one night of
unbroken sleep, what have you done?

Nina is a new mum and tonight is her first night off. Tonight is about pizza and wine and letting go. But Nina didn’t feel prepared for motherhood and isn’t sure she fits the job description. Nina feels like she’s losing her grip.

MUM is a thought-provoking, funny and completely honest new play that shines a light on early motherhood and anxiety, examining the pressures and complex emotions women experience when having a baby. It comes at a time when mothers have
been disproportionally affected by the pandemic, and never has it been more pertinent to explore these issues.

The production has associate direction from TD Moyo, set and costume design by Sarah Beaton, lighting by Sally Ferguson, sound by Anna Clock and movement by Annie-Lunette Deakin-Foster.

Check out the latest theatre news.