Review: Motherhood (Burton Taylor Studio)

Motherhood is a Stories That Hit Home Theatre production, written and performed by Clare Nelson, directed by Emma Webb, and I went to see it at the Burton Taylor Studio in Oxford. This was a completely sold out performance.

From a mother - Lisa’s - perspective, this show insightfully details the ever-present worry you have when parenting teenagers, but specifically focuses on how knife crime can impact on a family. The detail in the writing was exquisite, giving valuable insights into how learning difficulties, social issues and peer pressure can lead to events spiralling out of control, eventually resulting in permanent impacts on multiple lives.

As the hour-long show began, we were listening to recordings of people speaking about their experience of carrying knives, using them and the potential anxiety of having a knife on your person; “if you carry you’re going to use it” (or words to that effect). This was a way of gently easing the audience into a difficult subject matter where no feelings were spared. This piece is not designed for shock factor though, instead it is an honest narrative that has the added impact of knocking you sideways as you watch it.

Using just a chair on stage, the lighting, sound and video effects were used instead to mark changes in time or setting. The use of music with dates stated on a screen was very useful as the timeframe did jump back and then move forward again.  Music was also used to ramp up stress a bit at times, and the lighting design was perfect for suggesting different locations, with starker tones in a police station for example. Later use of videography also resonated.

When the performance was about half the way through I considered the fact that this writing must have come from experience in some way, due to the fact that it was so moving. Later, on reading the press release it became apparent that Claire Nelson had written Motherhood following an event where a family member had indeed been involved in a stabbing.

Claire Nelson in Motherhood (Production photograph)

Despite the very serious subject matter, the fact that some humour was injected into the situation was commendable. To avoid spoilers, I am simply going to say there is always beauty to find in any situation, and this reference had me laughing in moments you feel conflicted about reacting in this way. Superb, layered writing features for the entirety of this play, which was also delivered in a way that holds your focus throughout.

There are days where you walk outside after seeing something at the theatre feeling uplifted. This was not one of those days. A truly insightful and inspiring peace that will leave you thinking long after you leave the theatre, this is a show that should be seen by a wider audience.  I found myself wondering how it would be possible to get this story in front of school children as part of a PSHE programme. The messages in Motherhood are so very important for people of all ages.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Motherhood is at the Burton Taylor Studio until 2 April and will be going on tour later in 2026.

On the night I reviewed Motherhood, the second half of the show was comprised of readings and performances by local adults and young people who have taken part in creative writing workshops run by Claire Nelson, alongside two other mothers with lived experience of knife crime, including community activist group Mothers 4 Justice Ubuntu.

I was delighted to stay for this as an avid lover of short form writing, but what I was not expecting was the standard of the writing. We enjoyed a selection of short prose, poetry, rapping and spoken word performances.  Each of these pieces had an impact. One of them reduced me to tears, and another was performed by a young man who absolutely should have a future on a stage if he wishes to move in that direction.  What a way to extend an already unforgettable evening. It was an honour to experience this event.

If you would like to see my curtain call photographs from this and other shows, please visit my Instagram.

I was gifted a ticket for this show in exchange for an honest review.