Motherlock Hits the New Zealand Fringes

Hot off the smashing debut at the Melbourne Fringe Festival 2010 comes ‘Motherlock’ a raw, dynamic piece of ground-breaking theatre.

Described by the Australian Age as a ‘spirited and passionate’ performance, Motherlock is about challenging the traditional perceptions of modern motherhood.

‘Like Kerouac in conversation with a high school student’ -Lillian Richards, Theatreview

Based on the true experiences of New Zealand playwright Melissa Fergusson, this one woman show follows a young woman living in the United Kingdom and New Zealand over fourteen years through four pregnancies to different British men.

‘It’s about human relationships, about the compromises we make’-Melissa Fergusson, Interviewed by Inpress Magazine, Melbourne

Melissa Fergusson has taken on the role of director and writer of Motherlock, a dedicated and experienced arts practitioner, she has a two year international vision for the show. 

Trained at the Neighbourhood Playhouse in New York by Richard Pinter actor Narelle Ahrens (Shortland Street, Outrageous Fortune, Mercy Peak) is the ‘Mother’. 

Narelle has worked extensively on stage and screen.  She has appeared in various theatre productions including two acclaimed New Zealand premieres, Brian Sergent’s ‘The Love of Human Kind’ at Circa Theatre and Geraldine Brophy’s ‘The Paradise Package’ at the Fortune Theatre. She has also appeared in numerous short films including ‘Gun Lovers’, ‘Paper Doll Girl’ and ‘Be Careful’.

Motherlock is a bold piece of modern theatre that brazenly meets the contemporary issues of modern women.

‘…incredibly brave and incredibly risky’ - Renee Liang, The Big Idea