A brand-new play by award-winning playwright Jane Upton opens in Northampton as part of the theatre’s Made in Northampton season.

Looking at the struggles of a young playwright hijacked by motherhood, (the) Woman previews at Royal & Derngate from Thursday 13 to Saturday 15 February before embarking on a national tour.

When a successful playwright swaps long writing sessions for snatched moments of peace, and wild nights out for evenings in with a breast-pump,she’s left wondering how she’s supposed to continue being a successful artist, wife, and friend while everything she knew has changed. Suddenly M is burnt out, angry, lonely, craving intimacy but disengaged,and terrified of the future. Sinking in exhaustion and self-doubt, M starts digging at the secrets of the system she’s in; unpicking where she came from in an attempt to navigate this new version of herself.

(the) Woman is a Bruntwood Prize shortlisted play from George Devine Award-winning playwright Jane Upton (All the Little Lights). Based on her experiences as a woman formed in the ‘90s losing herself in the transition from single woman to motherhood, it examines how becoming a parent changes a woman’s identity (though she’s told it shouldn’t), the compromises she makes (whilst being told she can have it all) and the level of masking that happens (because talking about your children or your needs is ‘boring’). (the) Woman, is a funny and painful scream from the abyss of early motherhood.

Jane Upton said, “I started writing this play years ago when I was in a particularly vulnerable state of early motherhood, trying so hard to be the best I could be. A boy (now middle-aged-man) I went out with at school told my brother he’d expected “more” from me than having kids in my hometown. I was both livid and broken. With a swollen body and no sleep, I started pouring all my anger and fear into the first scene of this play and built the rest from there. People have told me I’m brave to write about motherhood because it’s not sexy, which says it all really. Well **** that! This play is full of so many things I have wanted to scream from my cage. It’s about more than motherhood and it’s NOT just for women. I want men to see this play. I’m excited that New Perspectives and Royal & Derngate are getting (the) Woman out there because it feels like air and breath to say this stuff.”

Lizzy Watts, whose recent credits include Hedda Gabler (National Theatre), stars as M. She is joined by Jamie-Rose Monk (The Taming of the Shrew at The Globe), Cian Barry (Ethan Henderson in ITV’s returning crime series DI Ray) and André Squire (One Night in Miami (ABKCO Theater/Nottingham Playhouse).

(the) Woman is directed by New Perspectives’ Artistic Director Angharad Jones who said, “When Jane brought this play to me, as both a woman in this industry and as mother, I felt utterly seen and totally understood. This exceptional new play is a pipeline through the ground with a megaphone on the end of it screaming the truth of all women and mothers who feel suffocated or unsure. It is formally playful, inherently theatrical and will make for an unforgettable experience. This play has gone through development with rigour and care and with support from National Theatre’s Generate programme and a host of creatives. I feel privileged to bring this story to UK stages with a special connection to our home in the Midlands.”

As a thriving regional theatre, Royal & Derngate is pleased to be co-producing (the) Woman with New Perspectives, the leading touring theatre company in the East Midlands with 50 years’ experience of touring high-quality productions to venues of all sizes across the UK, from mid-scale theatres to village halls.

(the) Woman takes to the Royal stage from Thursday 13 to Saturday 15 February with performances at 7pm each night and a relaxed performance at 2.30pm on Saturday. The play is approximately 90 minutes long with no interval. Tickets priced from £15* can be booked by calling Box Office on 01604 624811 or online at www.royalandderngate.co.uk.

The production is recommended for ages 15 and over. While the play is not suitable for children due to its themes, parents and guardians are welcome to bring babies aged 18 months and under to the relaxed performance on Saturday afternoon, at no additional cost, in line with the theatre’s babies in arms policy.

The Made in Northampton season is sponsored by Michael Jones Jeweller.

Rehearsal photos are by Tom Platinum Morley

A New Perspectives and Royal & Derngate Northampton co-production

13 – 15 Feb                Royal & Derngate, Northampton

Guildhall Rd, Northampton NN1 1DP

7pm, matinee (Relaxed) Sat 2.30pm | £20 – £15

http://www.royalandderngate.co.uk | 01604 624 811