Mother Play at Melbourne Theatre Company: Review

Who do we seek approval from? And why is it always our mother?

Serious but with a sense of whimsy, Melbourne Theatre Company’s Mother Play opened on Friday to a captivated audience. 

The semi-autobiographical work of Paula Vogel “unpacks” the relationship of Martha Herman and her brother Carl with their Mother, Phyllis. Martha acts as our unselfish narrator, the quiet sibling of an outspoken family. The journey of these three characters spans five decades and five evictions, all within one act. 

Image by Brett Boardman

I’ve come to expect exceptional acting when it comes to MTC shows, and Mother Play did not disappoint. Where at times the narrative of this show ran the risk of being too familiar, these three seasoned actors navigated all elements with clarity and honesty, and hilarity when required. 

The production and direction of this show were elegant and creative. Christina Smith has crafted a setting which feels versatile but authentic. Comical vignettes perfected by Niklas Pajanti’s lighting were a highlight. The show was modernised by Kelly Ryall’s lo-fi scoring, which although occasionally a bit repetitive cleverly blended contemporary methods of retaining focus with fun renditions of golden-age classics. I was only taken out of the story during the empty-stage moments of one particularly long unspoken scene, which I believe could have achieved the same purposefulness while also being a few minutes shorter.

Lee Lewis’s direction of the quirky, heightened transitional moments kept us on our toes, as the script gradually became more exposed and naturalistic. This, combined with the one-act format made for maximum pay-off without diffusing any tension.

So why this show now? I was pleasantly surprised to discover that as audience members we were inadvertently taken on a journey through being a queer person in the mid to late 20th century, with references to all those colourful eras of the rise of gay culture. Alongside this, the poignant reminder of how quickly the tide can turn on progress, and a generation of queer people whose stories were cut short.  

Vogel’s script was also expertly crafted to impact a huge spectrum of audience-goers, with something for anyone who has begun to reflect on their relationship with their parents. The show was a masterclass in 20th century feminist literature references; the book nerd in me had a ball. 

Mother Play isn’t trying to tell us the right thing to do. This intelligent show allows us the agency to reflect and decide for ourselves. Performed by a trio of outrageously talented humans, you may not be surprised by the themes you encounter, but I bet you’ll be surprised by the parts of yourself they unbox. 

4 Stars

Grab tickets to Mother Play here

Content warnings for this show also available here