A MOTHER'S SONG
Macrobert Arts Center
Director and Co-Creator
About the piece
From 17th century Stirling to 21st century New York City, themes of identity, motherhood, and choice collide in a bold and life-affirming story which follows three remarkable women at different moments in history, and traces the incredible journey of Scottish folk music across the Atlantic.
Sarah comes from a long line of ballad singers, but has severed ties with the folk traditions of her childhood. In modern-day New York City, Sarah’s rediscovery of these songs and the family stories within them, force her to go on an unexpected and life-changing journey across time.
Creative Team
Book | Finn Anderson and Tania Azevedo
Music and Lyrics | Finn Anderson
Musical Director | Shonagh Murray
Lighting Design | Simon Wilkinson
Set and Costume Design | Emma Bailey
Choreography | Lindsay McAllister
Sound Design | Tom Penny
Costume Supervisor | Zephyr Liddell
Producers | Julie Ellen and Kate Taylor
Cast
Sarah - Bethany Tennick
Alix - Tinashe Warikandwa
Jean - Blythe Jandoo
Cait - Kirsty Findlay
Jamie/Ronan/Thomas - Craig Hunter
Aunt Betty - Melanie Bell
Swing - Stephanie MacGaraidh
Reviews
★★★★★
The Stage
"An ambitious, expansive, evocative show about music and motherhood that brims with heart and history… Is it the next great Scottish musical? Possibly. Probably. This is certainly not the last we will see of it"
★★★★
Broadway World
“This show adds to the slowly-filling gap of women- and queer-centred stories in the musical theatre canon and is an exciting and timely piece”
★★★★
The Scotsman
“When the audience rise to their feet at the end, it seems as though they’re welcoming a major new show on the Scottish theatre scene.”
★★★★★
The Skinny
"A Mother’s Song weaves its tale like a siren song, transporting the viewer across time and place, with a hypnotising score and an electric cast"
★★★★
Musical Theatre Review
"An exquisite piece of theatre "
★★★★
The List
"New work of this calibre hailing from Scotland is something to be hugely proud of. May it last and travel like the traditional ballads that run through it. "