After Birth, CO:Lab Festival, Royal Exchange Theatre, 2018 (Multi-media Installation and Performance)

How do mothers voice they’re struggling during a time society expects to be the best? After Birth is a multi-media installation and performance putting the hidden issue of maternal mental health in public.

It began as a collaboration between writer Nicola Schofield, visual artist Naomi Kendrick and musician Jennifer Hardy and was developed for CO:Lab Festival with the addition of designer David Haworth, performer Sara Abanur and director Amy Hailwood.

Audience could come with a babe in arms, alone or within a group to a safe space where the unspoken was expressed visually, musically and through monologues. The aim was to change the language around motherhood to something more honest.

Creative Team & Cast

Writer: Nicola Schofield

Visual Artist: Naomi Kendrick

Musician: Jennifer Hardy

Director: Amy Hailwood

Designer: David Haworth

Cast: Sara Abanur

Sound Editing: Karen Lauke

Stage Management: Maryam (Mims) Al-Jeddal

Producer: Grace Ng-Ralph

After Birth

“My work is often an invitation to enter into risky conversations within a safe space.”
A room with a wooden floor and textured paper in soft hues fo pink and cream adorning the walls. Along on the top edge of one wall is a string of fairy lights. Against the other wall is a soft brown rug, with a low stool, a white laundry basket, mult
An East African female actor wearing a grey top, grey headscarf and gold hoop earrings sits looking out with frustration, against a purple-orange softly lit background.
An East African female actor wearing a grey top, grey headscarf and gold hoop earrings holds a cream cloth to her face looking distressed.
Close up detail of textured, soft pink paper in which the cracks of the paper have been drawn over in brown pencil to enhance. A phrase is painted in large letters. It reads, This hand on my shoulder, this kindness. It breaks me.
Close up detail of textured, soft pink paper in which the cracks of the paper have been drawn over in brown pencil to enhance. Fairy lights adorn one edge and in front is a table with information leaflets about postnatal depression.
An East African female actor wearing a grey top, grey headscarf and gold hoop earrings sits against a purple-orange softly lit background. She has an angry expression and is pointing at her head with her finger.
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