Dr Hannah Phillips, a queer mother, theatre-maker and director of Mobilise Arts decided she wanted to make a new show about queer motherhood following her article in DIVA in 2023 in response to the Italian government taking non-biological lesbian mothers off their children’s birth certificates.

Dr Hannah Phillips said: “I was both angered and saddened by the news from the Italian government and I want to give radical visibility to the lived experiences of a diversity of queer mothers who are often excluded from mainstream motherhood narratives. We want to hear the unique stories and experiences of queer identifying mothers and invite them to take part.”

The stories and experiences will form the basis for a new immersive theatre show fusing live music, video and spoken word sharing a new review of Motherhood and incorporating elements of verbatim through lived experience. This new work – which will premiere at Midlands Arts Centre in September as part o.f their Motherhood season is a collaboration between queer artists Hannah Phillips and Rachel Jones, and feature a video appearance by comedian, writer and actor Jen Brister.

Deborah Kermode, Chief Executive and Artistic Director at MAC said: “The theme of motherhood has been a universal subject across diverse cultures for centuries, however the acknowledgement and representation of the lived experiences of the LGBTQIA+ and Queer communities in relation to motherhood is woefully under-represented. This urgently needs to be re-addressed. To this end, MAC is thrilled to be working to support Dr Hannah Philips and Mobilise to present their ambitious new work as part of our Motherhood season where all narratives and ideas of motherhood are legitimately and joyfully celebrated.”

Jen Brister, comedian, writer and actor added: “As a lesbian Mum who has no biological connection to my sons I viscerally understand how important it is that the status of queer parents should be protected, their voices amplified and their experiences shared far and wide.”

Those identifying as queer mothers can share their lived experiences here or those wanting to be photographed or filmed for a Vox Pop for the immersive show should contact Hannah via Mobilise Arts. To keep up to date follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @MobiliseArts.