Fervent, passionate, and sincerely agonizing: a portrayal of motherhood
In the heart of Mitte, Germany, the Berliner Ensemble is hosting an intriguing feminist production titled "#Motherfuckinghood". Co-created by director Jorinde Dröse and author/actress Claude de Demo, the play delves into the theme of motherhood in a radical and critical form.
Claude de Demo, who also serves as the author and performer, centres the narrative around her own experiences with motherhood. The play highlights the tensions and pressures faced by mothers, including how motherhood intersects with identity, autonomy, and societal expectations. It challenges traditional representations by exposing the raw, sometimes difficult realities of being a mother, including emotional labor and the impact on selfhood.
The performance deconstructs motherhood through a feminist lens, making visible the often hidden or taboo aspects, and giving voice to a maternal experience that resists simplistic categorization. De Demo's performance transforms into a punk version of Wonder Woman by the end, reflecting the raw and direct engagement with the subject matter.
De Demo references texts from writers Antonia Baum and Mareike Fallwickl, as well as theorist Emilia Roig, in her performance. The final monologue is inspired by bell hooks. The performance includes English surtitles, making it accessible to a wider audience.
The play takes place on the 8th and 25th of September at the Berliner Ensemble. De Demo's character, portraying a mother struggling in a world that often undervalues and misunderstands her role, is depicted in a trench coat over a stained shirt, demonstrating signs of stress and frustration.
The performance discusses giving birth as a traumatic experience of powerlessness and voicelessness, and questions what it means to become a mother in a discourse that is described as pained, conflicted, and guilt-ridden. It aims to shed light on aspects of motherhood that are often overlooked or underdiscussed, challenging Germany's longstanding cult of the mother.
Despite reaching for humour with the phrase "#Motherfuckinghood", the play is used earnestly and seriously to explore the realities of motherhood that are often obscured. De Demo's child is not present or accounted for, suggesting that the source of her stress is related to her child. Interestingly, De Demo imagines civilization collapsing if women were to stop being mothers, adding an intriguing perspective to the narrative.
This thought-provoking production promises to be a powerful exploration of motherhood in the 21st century, offering a nuanced and critical view that challenges traditional representations and societal norms.
The performance, staged by author and actress Claude de Demo, delves into the intersection of motherhood and mental health within family-health discussions, highlighting the stress and guilt that mothers experience in society. The play also investigates the health-and-wellness implications of motherhood, particularly the traumatic nature of childbirth and the potential consequences if women were to refrain from motherhood.
Claude de Demo's character, portrayed in a trench coat over a stained shirt, symbolizes the mental and emotional toll that parenting takes, questioning the societal norms surrounding motherhood and advocating for a more holistic understanding of family-health and mental-health issues.
