| By Charlotte Keatley Directed by Doug Clarke QSM Season: 7 - 17 May 2008 Doris, born in 1900, abandons teaching for marriage and motherhood, nurturing young daughter Margaret through the Blitz. To her mother’s disappointment, Margaret marries an American and becomes a typist, but then meets challenges of her own in her archetypal ‘60s rebel daughter Jackie. Aspiring artist Jackie sacrifices motherhood of Rosie to complete her studies and pursue a glamorous career. A spirited child of the ‘70s, Rosie, is more than ready to forge her own path through the entrenched family secrets, but how much will it cost? As each of the women, sometimes hesitantly, sometimes boldly, negotiates their way through the social mores of their time, they will find their greatest strength - and their greatest vulnerability - in these maternal ties. This warm and tender play weaves back and forth in time, depicting pivotal moments in each of the women’s lives, creating a rich and engrossing family history that will make audiences both laugh and cry. My Mother Said I Never Should marks a return to an old favourite for director Doug Clarke QSM, who has directed the play twice before. Clarke says he has changed his thought processes, however, and is “treating it as a fresh production”, inspired by Elmwood theatre’s unique staging possibilities My Mother Said I Never Should has proved a tremendous hit with audiences since its premiere in 1987 at Manchester’s Contact Theatre, where it instantly launched its young author into the ranks of the UK’s top writers and won both the George Devine Award and Manchester Evening News Best Play award. Cast: Doris, born 1900, mother of Margaret - Felicity Watson Margaret, born 1931, mother of Jackie - Marilyn Ollett Jackie, born 1952, mother of Rosie - Helen Cooper Rosie, born 1971 - Aimee Perry |  |
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