Mother was written for acclaimed actor Noni Hazlehurst as her first one woman show and for long time collaborator and director Matt Scholten by the award winning playwright Daniel Keene.
Mother tells the story of Christie, a homeless woman in a world detached, unforgiving and destructive. The play gives voice to the fallen and dispossessed, to those who exist at the edge of safety, at the point of being undone. It speaks of madness, denial, ignorance and free-falling poverty. Utterly devastating, yet written with Daniel Keene’s characteristic lyricism, Mother is wrought with tenderness, violence and loneliness in equal measure.
Mother won the 2015 Drama Victoria award for Best Performance by a Theatre Company, was nominated for two Helpmann Awards: Best Performance by a Female Actor for Noni Hazlehurst and Best Regional Touring Production and was a finalist in the 2016 APACA Tour of the Year Awards.
- Venue Format
- Theatre, Black Box Venue
- Technical Rating
- Touring Party
- 3
- Considerations
Performance contains strong coarse language and adult themes. Not suitable for audiences under 15 years of age. Performance has a pre-set and a lock out policy. No admittance after the performance begins. To accomodate lock out Stage Manager will start the show 5 minutes after advertised time.
In 2016 we toured QLD and played at: Ipswich Civic Centre (sold out) Empire Theatre Toowoomba Lake Kawana Community Centre Sunshine Coast (sold out) Riverway Arts Centre Townsville (sold out) Cairns Centre of Contemporary Art. (2 shows sold out)
We would be delighted to do an encore presentation at these venues, particularly the ones that sold out.
If Theatre is an independent theatre company established by Matt Scholten in 2006 now based in South East Queensland. Since 2008, the company has been dedicated to staging the work of Daniel Keene and has presented twelve of his plays to audiences across the country. In 2013, Boxman toured Victoria and NSW and during 2015-2016, Mother, written for actor Noni Hazlehurst, toured venues in Victoria, Tasmanian, NSW And Queensland.
Matt Scholten, Artsitic Director & Creative Producer
- Company Website
- mattscholten.com/if-theatre-2
Unique Selling Point
Mother features an acclaimed performance by Australian acting icon Noni Hazlehurst in her first one woman performance in a role written specifically for her by Daniel Keene. Audiences have flocked to the production due to Noni's high-profile television roles, many patrons who came to see Mother in 2015-16 have told us that have never been to the theatre to see a drama production. Mother has actively contributed to audience development and awakened many people to the power of live storytelling by bringing one of our finest and most loved screen actors live on-stage to a wide theatre audience across the country.
Marketing Materials
Mother has a large array of marketing material: posters, high quality production images, promotional footage, an education pack written by director Matt Scholten (who also lectures in theatre at university level), access to a published play via Currency Press, an interview kit featuring Noni Hazlehurst, a personalised video by Noni for each venue welcoming the audience to the theatre, a package of reviews, information on the play's awards and nominations, audience testimonials and an active social media presence via Noni's personal Facebook page and a Facebook page and Twitter account created specifically for the production.
Community Engagement
We have had an active role in community engagement and offer:
-a Masterclass in acting and directing run by Noni Hazlehurst and Matt Scholten (one hour) targeted at senior secondary school, amateur and community groups and local artists -Open rehearsals in local venues for groups involved in health, education, legal and community activities such as homelessness, housing and domestic violence, senior citizens, children and youth welfare followed by a Q&A -Post show Q&A sessions featuring Noni Hazlehurst and Matt Scholten -Meetings and visits to local, state and federal government agencies when possible to advocate for the arts in your community
Comments/Reviews
Diana Simmonds
Media Review
Matt Scholten has a long, rich history with Daniel Keene and has also previously directed Hazlehurst and clearly understands the nuances and rhythms of the work and has the confidence of the performer. The result is a seamless, fragile, intelligent and tough performance from an actress at the top of her game. Hazlehurst’s is a performance not to be missed. (Read More)
Peter Wilkins
Media Review
In a tour de force one-woman show Hazlehurst offers a towering glimpse of a misunderstood and grievously wronged mother, her struggle for survival, her pain, the consequences of her choices, and her cry for recognition. Mother is superbly written, brilliantly performed and sensitively directed. It offers a rare opportunity to see Hazlehurst live on stage. Not to be missed. (Read More)
Cameron Woodhead
Media Review
Hazlehurst gives an authoritative performance, steeped in vulnerability; never collapsing into easy sympathy. It might be a dance of despair, but Hazlehurst gives full play to Keene's black comic observations. Scholten directs with the sure-footedness you'd expect from long collaboration with Keene. Audiences around the country should jump at the chance to see Hazlehurst perform in this haunted, confronting work. (Read More)
Diana Simmonds
Media Review
Matt Scholten has a long and rich history with Daniel Keene and his work and has also previously directed Noni Hazlehurst. Scholten clearly understands the nuances and...the result is a seamless, fragile, intelligent and tough performance from an actress at the top of her game. Mother is a play and Hazlehurst’s is a performance not to be missed. (Read More)