Baby Brain

A new play about motherhood, postpartum psychosis and stand-up comedy! A new mother, Cass, tackles her mental health crisis, with dark humour, bright wit, brutal honesty and dreams of becoming a comic. A ‘slightly true story’ starring BAFTA winner Kimberley Nixon (C4’s Fresh Meat, Wild Child, Under Salt Marsh).

A one person play, in 6 acts. A new mother, Cass, tackles her postpartum crisis, with dark humour, a bright wit and brutal honesty. How can you live up to the super-maternal, picture-perfect image perpetuated by social media? How can you keep a sense of yourself when now you must suddenly care for a new life? How can you deal with life at its most demanding when you are at your weakest ebb?

This is a story about finding light in the darkest places and the unvarnished truth of motherhood that so often goes unspoken. Cass struggles to understand what is real and what is in her mind. We take the audience on the same journey – breaking the fourth wall and playing with the theatrical form. A giddy mix of standup routines and devasting emotional twists that challenge preconceptions and prompt difficult questions.

Full of unusual narrative devices, such as voice notes, stand-up routines, imaginary interactions and playful props – this play promises a fun time and an emotional rollercoaster ride, with no awareness of the topics needed.

The script was refined, rehearsed and performed in the Sherling Studio at the Lighthouse Poole as part of its Sanctuary scheme for supporting new work. Industry performances followed that allowed for further development and the creation of the now polished final draft.