We've been nominated for the
Alfred Fagon Audience Award
(Voting has now closed. Thank you for your support!)
About the awardThe Alfred Fagon Audience Award recognizes and celebrates the depth of talented Black British playwrights of Caribbean and African descent writing in Britain today. This year the top play voted for by the public in the online poll will win the award. Plays receiving a professional production between 1st September 2015 and 31st August 2016 with a minimum of five performances is eligible for the Award. The list of plays will be published on the AFA website and online public voting will take place between 1st September 2016 and 16th October 2016. The award will be presented to the winning writer at the 2016 Alfred Fagon Awards. | 2 0 1 6 |
About She Called Me Mother
“When she gon come? I lookin at de people dem but I can’t see her. She a pretty lookin ting, she does stan’ out amongst these faces dripped in dissatisfaction…” Evangeline is waiting, she has been waiting a long time. She waits for the Black Swan to glide through the station and show her a little warmth and kindness. She waits for a ticket home to Trinidad, the sun, the mango trees, and the street vendors selling curry. She waits for Shirley, the daughter she let walk away all those years ago. “I try not to tink about she too much, ‘cause de pain dem thoughts bring it like a heard of buffalo runnin wild in a field, an’ I beneath dem foot.” |
Will her daughter ever return to her and can she ever forgive the mother that let her go?
This original piece of drama written in the Trinidadian Vernacular poses questions about Evangeline’s life. What does it mean to be elderly and homeless in our society today? How can we heal broken relationships with our mothers or daughters? And, how do we uncover the secrets of domestic violence from their veil of domestic bliss?
This original piece of drama written in the Trinidadian Vernacular poses questions about Evangeline’s life. What does it mean to be elderly and homeless in our society today? How can we heal broken relationships with our mothers or daughters? And, how do we uncover the secrets of domestic violence from their veil of domestic bliss?
Hit 'read more' to read about the cast and creatives, reviews and links to She Called Me Mother on the web >
Cast and creatives
Evangeline Cathy Tyson
Writer Michelle Inniss Director Cara Nolan Designer Amelia Jane Hankin |
Chereen Buckley Shirley
Peter Small Lighting Designer Kerri McLean Sound Designer Amber Jane Taylor Company Stage Manager Harry Johnson Associate Sound Designer |
Pitch Lake Productions with Tara Arts for Black Theatre Live
She Called Me Mother's reviews
“A Trinidadian woman reflects on the twists that have left her alone in life, in an affecting debut play by Michelle Inniss. The use of the Trinbago vernacular is richly effective, lending it poetry without a hint of prissiness.”
The Guardian
“Michelle Inniss’ distinguished debut delivers a strong message through well-crafted performances from Cathy Tyson and Chereen Buckley. Inniss’ script explores challenging territory without ever preaching to her audience… Impressively moving debut.”
The Stage
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “She Called Me Mother was an absolutely brilliant show. The combination of superb writing and truly amazing performances from two fantastically talented actresses make this an awesome show that will stay with me for a long time.”
London Theatre 1
★★★★ “She Called Me Mother is a thoughtful play, beautifully written by Michelle Inniss and compellingly performed by Cathy Tyson and Chereen Buckley. The play’s exploration of memory, especially when examining the development and deterioration of relationships, makes for a highly visceral experience.”
British Theatre
★ ★ ★ ★ “A moving tale about life as a homeless woman, this poignant production will certainly speak to your humanity. Michelle Inniss’ ability to tell such a moving story as this is particularly impressive. This is Pitch Lake Productions’ first small scale tour, and if it’s anything to go by, this company is definitely one to watch.”
Everything Theatre
★ ★ ★ ★ “The play sensitively deals with some extremely hard and uncomfortable topics, challenging the audience to remember that homelessness, domestic violence and child abuse not only exist but are common. Evangeline´s monologue is far from grim however; her story is told with humour, wit and wisdom.”
The Londonist
“Michelle Inniss, writer of She Called Me Mother, has put together an absolutely beautiful script. It’s full of imagery;it’s funny. It distils complex emotions into punchy monologues and it gradually builds two rich realistic characters, who will remain in your mind after the play ends.”
Bargain Theatre Land
Links to She Called Me Mother online
Culture Pulse
Michelle Inniss blog post for the Big Issue St Mungos interview with Cathy Tyson The Big Issue interview with Michelle Inniss Afridiziak interview with Michelle Inniss Words With Jam interview with Michelle Inniss BBC Women’s Hour interview with Cathy Tyson Cathy Tyson chats to BBC South East Today |