unmothered - 9 out of 10
Dead Darling Theatre
TICKETS: unmothered | Adelaide Fringe
unmothered is a
lyrical, memory-driven song cycle tracing three generations of women as they
navigate love, silence, and inherited trauma. Told in three acts through the
daughter’s life, the piece moves fluidly between live music and theatrical
storytelling, blurring the edges between reality and recollection. Created by a
powerhouse team of South Australian artists, unmothered examines the
intricate and often painful landscape of maternal love — the yearning to be nurtured,
the fear of repeating harm, and the struggle to break cycles of silence.
As the second Adelaide Fringe
production from Dead Darling Theatre, unmothered is an
original work written by Amelia Rooney, Noella Grace Akimana, and Eliza Barnes.
Rooney also serves as the show’s composer and lends her voice to the backing
vocals alongside guitarist Jordan Holmes. Completing the band are Steph Teh on
cello, Jake Wake‑Dyster on piano, and Rooney herself on theremin, creating an
evocative and layered soundscape that underscores the emotional depth of the
story.
Director Hannah Smith has united
a cast and creative team whose diverse lived experiences enrich the work,
giving it authenticity and emotional honesty. Having witnessed the earlier
development showing in 2025, it’s remarkable to see how far the piece has
evolved — now fully realised as a moving, meticulously crafted work of theatre.
Lisa Lanzi as Grandmother and
Katrina Ryan as Mother both bring a wealth of theatrical experience to their
roles, grounding their performances in truth and compassion. Their solos are
commanding, and their interactions deeply considered — built on an evident
understanding of the generational tension that drives the piece.
Yet it is Jordan Bender’s
portrayal of Daughter that stands out most. Her longing to connect with her
grandmother beyond a simple postcard, her search for belonging, and her aching
desire to feel like any other child resonated powerfully with the audience.
Bender delicately captures the emotional landscape of a young girl wise beyond
her years but still yearning for simplicity and safety.
Two standout moments deserve
mention without giving too much away: the striking symmetry between the opening
and closing scenes marked by the turning on and off of lamps and the physical
arrangement of the three women, and a sequence in which all three characters
inhabit the voices of the next generation, layering previously heard dialogue
in a haunting, overlapping refrain.
The set design is intentionally
understated: a sofa, a rug, and a constellation of lamps, evoking the
familiarity of a lived-in home. While occasional lighting cues were momentarily
distracting, and early sound balance made it difficult to hear Lanzi’s vocals,
these issues were soon resolved. Despite some minor mixing inconsistencies, the
production’s technical design overall supported the storytelling with
sensitivity.
Dead Darling Theatre, a newly
formed female- and queer-led production company, continues to make its mark
through bold, intersectional storytelling. Their commitment to accessibility,
inclusivity, and open participation is evident in the company’s ethos —
championing women, LGBTQIA+ voices, and artists with disabilities, while
challenging traditional power structures in theatre-making. Unmothered stands
as a testament to that mission: heartfelt, resonant, and profoundly alive with
shared experience.
- Andrew Broadbent
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