"Mumsy" by Lydia Marchant

Nottingham Lace Market Theatre.

This production opens the new Autumn/Winter season at the Nottingham Lace Market Theatre, and is a wonderful way to start what is an exciting roster of diverse plays.

Sophie is about to become a single mum 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...

Her mum, Rachel, has 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, and has moved into the one bedroom flat with Rachel and Sophie.

There's plenty of music played throughout in sound bites which smooth over the scene changes nicely. Every track has been well chosen to keep with the theme of the storyline, ranging from Blondie and Abba to The Killers and Hozier.

Performed in the upstairs studio area of the Lace Market, it makes the whole story from start to end a really intimate affair. 

Sophie, the mother to be, is played by Lucy Deane. Every scene is a gem with Lucy in; ranging from that nervous anticipation of breaking the news of the pregnancy, and exactly how the pregnancy occurred, through to the scans and all of the episodes an expectant mother has to endure. Morning sickness, worries about everything, reduced hours at work and the resulting shortage of money, which brings its' own problems affecting her health. We see Sophie questioning options and finally confiding to her mother and nan about her hidden worries, several of these scenes are emotional, many of the scenes really comical. A growing bump also brings mobility and physical issues which Lucy conveyed brilliantly.

Rachel, Sophie's mother, is played by Becky Goddard-Hill. As the play goes on, we discover that Rachel is not quite the selfish mother she first appears to be, and many situations turn out to be the exact opposite of what we first thought, especially in the second act. I loved the scene when Rachel returns home at 4.30 in the morning, slightly worse for wear, with her descriptions of her young 22 year old one night stand, and how the roles of mother and daughter are reversed. A brilliant piece of writing, and beautifully executed by both Lucy and Becky.

Linda, her nan, is played by Sharon Phillips. These three actors could not have been better cast because you really start to believe that the three characters are related by motherhood; the relationships built and made to gel by three very talented actors who obviously understand that wonderful connection that only mothers with their daughters can have. Another physical role as Linda throughout has one of those boots on her foot, due to the character, not falling, but having an accident at work. If you go and see the play, you'll understand why I have phrased it in this certain way!

The language is of an adult nature, but then again, that goes along with the situation that is quite literally thrust upon Sophie, and the reactions from Rachel with the double whammy of having, not only her pregnant daughter coming to stay with her, but her mum also joining them.

Directed by Charlotte Hukin, she has made sure that this gem of a play rolls along at just the right pace, making sure that the humour and the more fraught scenes are well balanced. There are some parts of the play that reveal upsetting scenarios, but these are quickly digested and progressed to some wonderful, lighter moments.

Lighting Design is by Esther Warren, and there's more lighting than I had thought there would be. That is due to the scene changes when we are kept entertained with the lightshow and the soundtrack to the story.

Sound Design is by Gareth Morris. there's just one scene change where music is not involved, and that makes that section ever more poignant. Loved the soundtrack, as I have previously said, and I can imagine that the team who created the playlist not only had fun putting it all together, but also put a great deal of thought into which songs go where, because if you listen to the songs, they also move the story on.

Stage Manager is by Linda Hoyland, assisted by B Anthony, and there are many scenes where quick costume changes are required by all three actors. The minor changes to the set are done by the actors in a natural and smooth motion.

I always like to get into the theatre quite early just to have a proper look at the set and the props. With this being in the studio upstairs, this made my scrutiny of the set very easy. The set is designed by Charlotte with a convertible sofa bed and kitchen units with a working fridge freezer; this plays an important role, which I will let you work out. The props are sourced by Lesley Brown, and there are quite a few to take in.

Summing up this play, which by the way I had never seen before, and that's because this production is only the second time that the play has been performed, the debut being by the Hull Truck theatre Company, which is apt as the play is set in Hull. The language is deliciously ripe and the accents are superb. Charlotte has ever so slightly tweaked the ending to create a more rounded end. Beautifully emotive and the writing is delightfully descriptive.

"Mumsy" is at the Nottingham Lace Market Theatre until Saturday 14 September, but you'll need to get your tickets pretty quick as it's close to being a sell out week.

Photography by Grace Eden Photography.