Mother Courage and Her Children

Ensemble ‘84, a pioneering theatre company based in Horden, County Durham, has announced the dates for its
debut production, Mother Courage and Her Children by Bertolt Brecht and adapted by award-winning writer Lee
Hall. Directed by Ensemble ‘84’s co-founder and Artistic Director, Mark Dornford-May, this bold first production is a culmination of a 24-week, paid training programme for individuals from across County Durham to become professional actors and form its cast, and features an ambitious international collaboration with Isango Ensemble, the acclaimed, multi-award-winning theatre company from Cape Town, South Africa, whose work has served as both a model and inspiration for Ensemble ‘84. Mother Courage will premiere in Horden, East Durham from 14-24 May, with a national press night on Friday 16 May. Tickets are now on sale.

Written in 1939, Mother Courage and Her Children follows the story of a shrewd canteen wagon owner, Anna
Fierling - known as Mother Courage - as she struggles to make a living by profiteering from war while trying to
protect her three children. Set against the backdrop of the Thirty Years’ War, Brecht’s play is a powerful
exploration of survival, sacrifice, and the devastating cost of conflict. This new adaptation by Lee Hall, known for his award-winning screenplays for Billy Elliot and Rocketman, brings fresh urgency to Brecht’s iconic anti-war drama, offering a contemporary lens on its themes of resilience and moral compromise.

Performed by Ensemble ‘84’s all-County Durham cast, Mother Courage places the voices from the North East at
its heart, celebrating the rich talent of the region. South Africa’s acclaimed Isango Ensemble brings its globally recognised approach to theatre-making and adds a powerful international dimension to this special production. This collaboration bridges histories and geographies, drawing parallels between different struggles for survival and resilience across continents. Through this meeting of artists, cultures and lived experiences, Mother Courage is reimagined as the bold and urgent piece of theatre of our times, resonating with audiences both locally and globally.