Mumsy (NHB Modern Plays)

Sophie is about to become a single mum - a third-generation one - and she's terrified. How will she afford to feed her baby? Or a Deluxe Snuggle Pod? Can she hold on to her job? What if she's crap at parenthood? Surely she can count on her own mum and nan to help...

Except her mum's got used to having a life of her own, and doesn't fancy giving up pole-dancing class and Tinder to go back to changing nappies and no sleep. Meanwhile, fresh out of hospital with a broken leg, her nan's having a three-quarter-life crisis of her own.

From slammed doors to living-room karaoke, Lydia Marchant's play Mumsy is a sparky, soulful comedy drama about the highs and lows of motherhood. It premiered at Hull Truck Theatre in March 2023.

'A brilliant bittersweet comedy with plenty of ribald humour... Without sermonising, Marchant demonstrates the impact of a decade of Tory austerity amid a cost of living crisis... It's a skill to write across generations like this... Marchant's play is a bundle of joy' - Guardian

'A striking debut... beautifully balanced between comedy and tragedy... a tender exploration of the power of connection and perseverance' - The Stage

'Raw, real and utterly Northern... as homely and refreshing as a mug of Yorkshire Tea' - Reviews Hub

'Masterful... whip-crack funny... a play with a huge heart... a brilliant piece of theatre' - Hull Is This

Auteur

Lydia Marchant is a writer for stage, screen and audio. Her plays include Mumsy (Hull Truck, 2023). She has written for TV's Holby City, Casualty and EastEnders.