UNFILTERED, HILARIOUS AND RAW

By Natasha U’Ren-Ashdown | @tasha.ua ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Press Invite

If you’re looking for a show that is as bold as its title, look no further than Son of a Bitch, directed by Madelaine Moore. This sharp, witty, and unapologetically raw one-woman play offers a fearless exploration of the complexities of relationships, identity, and the fallout of bad decisions.

The story follows Marnie (played by Anna Morris), a wife and a mother to a 4-year-old, shifting between her past, moving to London and meeting her husband, and the present. Marnie embodies all the characters, each wonderfully flawed, funny and endearing. She masterfully balances moments of sadness with humour, making the play hilarious and relatable. Morris’ portrayal of Marnie is raw and unfiltered, diving into topics often left untouched, which only adds to the authenticity of her performance.

Marnie’s life unravels when she becomes viral online, when she is caught on camera while flying solo with her young son and shouting the ‘c’ word at him in frustration. The ensuing backlash thrusts her into the spotlight as the face of the “unfit mother”. What follows is a humorous yet heartbreaking exploration of her attempts to navigate life after the scandal and her newfound notoriety. Watching Anna struggle with judgement on the school playground and even with her husband makes her journey feel incredibly real. The modern references and humour draw you further into her world, especially as unexpected twists unfold.

What sets Son of a Bitch apart is its use of real-time text on the ‘departures board’, which not only enhanced the experience but also added to the humour. I didn’t realise until after the show that this visual element has such a connection for Morris, who is half hard of hearing. This clever inclusion not only added to the stage but kept the show engaging from start to finish. The play’s humour is so amusing that Morris even had to cut the audience’s laughter and gasps short to maintain the show’s pace.

As I realised the play must be nearing its end, I wished for more. That’s impressive given it’s an hour-long performance with no interval! I left the theatre smiling and immediately texting my family group chat, encouraging them to see it.