Forgiving (My Mother) is performed by Anna Udras, Emilia Nurmukhamet and Patrycja Dynowska. The cast of three undertake the challenging task of venturing into and trying to understand the years of generational trauma. Exploring post-Soviet motherhood and the expectations of life then and now.

All family dynamics and relationships have their difficulties and unreasonable expectations that are carried forward to the next generation. Forgiving (My Mother) can touch everyone who watches the play regardless of race or religion. We all have a Mother and everyone experiences that relationship and bond in a very different way.

The intimacy of a small venue and the deliberate device to engage with the audience and draw us in as part of their journey felt uncomfortable and awkward at times as if I was watching a private family argument in that I didn’t need to be or want to be involved with. Everyone has a different flight or fight reaction in these situations. This suggests that the creative team’s job was successful and the play achieved its aim.

Life will always move forward no matter where in the World you live. Nostalgia and understanding are something everyone carries with them into their lives but the play shows that it is healthy and OK to challenge things that need to evolve and move forward. Although this process isn’t necessarily easy and often leads to realisations, pain and arguments within the family dynamic.

Their run at the Edinburgh Fringe has now finished. They are moving the play back to London to perform as part of The Voila Festival, link below.

For more information about Forgiving (My Mother) please use the link below.

Four Stars.

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/forgiving-my-mother

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