This is a recovery story.
Ann and her new-born have been detained without trial on a medieval plague island. Betrayed by family, sectioned and lactating, Ann is surrounded by grotesque doctors under the light of a blood red moon. This is the world of Ann’s mind. Imaginatively staged, and packed with camaraderie, humour and original live music, after birth is a story of hope.
Directed by Grace Duggan (Wood, Vault Festival 2019, Intravenous, The North Wall), and written by Zena Forster (The Fourth Dog Human Story Theatre, Antigona and Me Arts at the Old Fire Station), this life-affirming new play is rooted in real life testimonies of women who experienced psychosis after the birth of their babies.
“A funny deeply moving play about the miseries and craziness that new mothers too often keep a secret.” Kate Clanchy, Author
"Through after birth we hope to engage audiences with research evidence about maternal mental health, to raise awareness, reduce stigma, encourage discussion and ultimately improve care and outcomes for women affected by postnatal mental illness. The play promotes some key public health messages about postnatal mental health, but importantly it’s also funny and full of hope – it should be a really good night out.” Professor Rachel Rowe, Senior Health Services Researcher, National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit.
This production is supported by the TORCH Theatres Seed Fund and is part of ‘Connecting Researchers with Oxfordshire Theatres’, a knowledge exchange project generously funded by the UKRI’s Higher Education Innovation Fund.
Book your tickets via the North Wall
