TO celebrate the 60th anniversary the West Clare Drama Festival the critically acclaimed professional production Seven Ages of MAM will be coming to Doonbeg for one night only next Wednesday, March 9.
Billed as Mam’s hilarious and thought provoking, take on motherhood, sexuality, grief, infidelity, ageing, love, lust and loneliness, this new, laugh-out-loud funny yet poignant one woman play stars Pauline O’Driscoll.
You may know Pauline from television as Pat Shortt’s wife in the IFTA nominated drama series Smalltown, or the hospital doctor trying to talk some sense into The Young Offenders in the Christmas Special of the popular TV series and yes that’s her cheekily swiping right in the Bord Bia Fish Advert too!
Having been nominated best new play at Brighton Fringe in 2019, the play written by Mark Evans and Pauline only began touring Ireland at the end of 2021 (because of Covid ) and has been wowing critics and audiences alike and garnering 5-Star reviews along the way.
“We’ve been blown away by the audience response. People are hungry for this type of show, something real but funny, something that makes them laugh and brings a tear to their eye. You just have to read the audience reviews on Facebook to see that” says American born director Tom Kibbe.
A contemporary reimagining of Shakespeare’s most famous soliloquy – but from a Mam’s point of view!
Mam has a lot to say about the role of women and mother’s in society and how that role has and is shifting across the generations.
Does society really value the contribution of mothers? What does it mean to be a mother? How do you give all of yourself and yet not lose yourself?
Are this generation of mothers better off or worse off? How do you raise happy, healthy, balanced future adults in an era of social media? Is having kids and being a mum the last taboo?
“Yes it’s a female centric piece about what it means to be a woman and a mother,” Pauline says, “but it appeals to men and women alike.
“Anyone who is a mum, knows a mum or ever had a mum relates to this play …. yes, in other words everyone! One male audience member actually told me he laughed and cried and next day took his mum to lunch. I loved hearing that. On behalf of mother’s all over the world, it made my day.”
Seven Ages of MAM runs in Doonbeg Community Hall on Wednesday, March 9, at 8pm. (Doors open 7pm). Tickets: €15 (suitable 14+ yrs). Booking: www.westclaredramafestivaldoonbeg.com