In 2006, we had over 40 stories written by Vancouver actresses telling the really compelling stories of their mothers’ lives. We wanted to share the feeling we had in our meetings when we read our stories to one another, but didn't know how to do that. Then Jenn Griffin, one of the original daughters, suggested an exercise used in spoken word festivals that intersperses the voices of various actors to weave a narrative.
Twenty actors (those who were available and interested) submitted their stories for the show and we ripped them apart and pieced them together by themes to make a script. The play is like a giant conversation and because it’s told by so many, it becomes the story of all mothers. We had no idea if it could work, but with nothing to lose, we presented our show on Mother’s Day 2006. Well, surprise, surprise! An audience can follow 20 stories all at once, and reflect on their own mothers’ stories at the same time. It was just like our meetings! Only with an audience laughing and crying along with us. Then we did it again Mother’s Day 2007—a slightly different show since different actors were available and they wanted to tell their stories too - and we sold out again. In fact we sold out five weeks before Mother’s Day! Friends told friends and they kept coming back.
This Mother’s Day 2008, the show is slightly different again. Half the cast were in last year's show, half are brand new; all are professional actors, many of whom you may recognize. They're all telling their mothers' stories. There are 2 stories from the turn of the last century, a mother and daughter (one telling the story of the other) and more stories from around the world. It’s a great show for teens and seniors, prompting recollections on family, society and the history of women.
My Mother's Story
For when you don’t know what to do with your mother… or what to do without her...20 Vancouver actresses tell their mothers’ stories.
Sunday, May 11 (Mother’s Day)
2 p.m & 7:30 p.m.
UNITY
of Vancouver,
5840 Oak St. (at 42nd Ave.), Vancouver
$30 / $25 seniors, students, actors
Tickets available at www.gigtickets.ca
1-866-705-5437 ext. 4051
Featuring: Jennifer Juniper Angeli,
Julia Arkos,
Eileen Barrett, Judith Berlin, Lisa Bunting, Joy Coghill, Laura Di
Cicco, Dolores Drake, Marion Eisman, Beverley Elliott, Heather Feeney,
Frances Flanagan, Natalie Gibson, Marcy Goldberg, Sharon Heath, Nimet
Kanji, Ruth McIntosh, Mary Monks, Candace O’Connor and Louise
Phillips.
Compiled by: Jenn Griffin and Marilyn Norry, directed by: Marilyn Norry
Contact: mothersstory@gmail.com
