My Mother Said I Never Should
By Charlotte Keatley
This page refers to a past event
A moving and funny exploration of the lives of four generations of women in one family.
My Mother Said I Never Should is about relationships between mothers and daughters. It explores the lives and relationships of four generations of women - their loves, expectations and choices, set against the social changes of the 20thC, with themes of independence, growing up and consequences of secrets.
It addresses the issues of teenage pregnancy, career prioritisation and single motherhood and how each generation tries to break free from their parents’ traditions and culture.
My Mother Said I Never Should is a Sheffield Theatres and fingersmiths Production in association with New Wolsey Theatre.
"…a very interesting and moving rendition of this well-known play. Worth seeing. " — British Theatre Guide
"The actors not only switch effortlessly between childhood and old age but also between English and BSL" — Disability Arts Online
Partners
We’re proud to be working in partnership with the following organisations for this project:
Video
Original cast trailer at Crucible Theatre Sheffield (Film by Teresa Garratty)
Cast
Rosie
Lisa Kelly
Doris
Ali Briggs
Margaret
Jeni Draper
Jude Mahon*
Jackie
Ej Raymond
Voice of Jackie
Genevieve Barr
Creative Team
Writer
Charlotte Keatley
Director
Jeni Draper
Touring Assistant Director
Luanna Priestman
Designer
Sophia Lovell Smith
Lighting Designer
Gary Longfield
Sound Designer
Nick Greenhill
Movement Director
Luanna Priestman
BSL Linguist
Daryl Jackson
Jean St Clair*
Accent Coach
Elspeth Morrison
Company Stage Manager
Bryan Gallagher
Technical Stage Manager
Emma Atherton
* indicates Sheffield Theatre Production
Meet the Writer
Charlotte Keatley is best known for My Mother Said I Never Should, now the most widely produced play ever written by a woman, produced in 31 countries.
It has been a huge influence on British Theatre and won many awards, including being named as one of the National Theatre Significant Plays of the 20th Century. It is a GCSE text and studied at universities.
She has also written for film, television, radio, and has won the George Devine Award, an Edinburgh Fringe First and an EMMY for filming in childrens’ prisons for a C4 documentary. She is writing Emilie’s Fire, a new play about an extraordinary 18th century French mathematician, mother, philosopher and gambler.
Tour Dates
My Mother Said I Never Should toured nationally in 2020.
New Wolsey Theatre
Ipswich
13 - 14 Feb 2020
Key Studio Theatre
Peterborough
20 - 21 Feb 2020
Cast, Doncaster Studio
Doncaster
26 - 27 Feb 2020
Arena Theatre
Wolverhampton
28 - 29 Feb 2020
Harrogate Theatre
Harrogate
2 March 2020
The Lowry Studio
Salford
3 - 4 March 2020
Stratford Circus
Stratford
6 - 7 March 2020
Northcott Theatre
Exeter
10 - 11 March 2020
Derby Theatre Studio
Derby
13 - 14 March 2020
Birmingham Rep, The Door
Birmingham
16 - 18 March 2020
The Albany
Canada Water, London
20 - 21 March 2020
Sheffield photography: Mark Douet, NWT photography: Mike Kwasniak, Rep photography: Rachel Gillies Trailer: Teresa Garratty, R&D photography: Teresa Garratty