Griffin Theatre Company will present the world premiere of 'Mum Club', a new comedy by Budawang and Yuin playwright Jorjia Gillis, at Belvoir's Downstairs Theatre from August 22 to September 20.
The play follows Sadie, a young Martu mother who has recently moved to Sydney and is struggling to settle her baby while living in a small rental.
Searching for support, she joins an Inner West mothers' group filled with competing views about parenting, health and what it means to be a good mother.
The group includes Corporate Mum, who returned to work soon after giving birth, Antivax Mum, who burns sage at sleepovers, and Well-Meaning Mum, who acknowledges Country whenever she enters a new postcode.
As pressure builds around the idea of doing motherhood correctly, Sadie begins questioning what she is willing to compromise to find friendship and community.
The show uses comedy and satire to examine modern parenting culture while exploring the challenges and resilience of Blak motherhood.
Ms Gillis developed 'Mum Club' during a year-long residency with Griffin Studio, drawing on her experiences after becoming a mother.
She wanted the play to show parts of early motherhood that are often kept private.
"In the first few months of being a new mum, there are honest moments we don't always get to see, and I wanted to share those," Ms Gillis said.
"From my experience I prepared for my pregnancy, and for labour, but not for what came after they arrived."And having PTSD from my birth left me feeling completely lost."
Humour became a way to approach the more difficult parts of the story without reducing their impact.
"For me humour is so important in my own life," Ms Gillis said.
"My family are some of the funniest people I know, and they have always used it to get through challenging and traumatic times.
"I wanted to honour that balance of light and dark in 'Mum Club'."
The play also explores the judgment placed on mothers and the pressure to appear in control.
Ms Gillis hopes Sadie's story gives audiences a more accepting view of motherhood.
"That it's ok not to have everything together," Ms Gillis said.
"There's a lot of judgment and pressure on mums, and I think they should be celebrated more."
Griffin Theatre Company artistic director Declan Greene described the work as a comedy that uses laughter and satire to address serious issues.
The production is directed by Ian Michael and features Alex Malone, Megan Wilding, Ruby Teys, Stephanie Somerville and Zarif.
The creative team includes dramaturg Dylan Van Den Berg, designer Cris Baldwin, lighting designer Verity Hampson, composer and sound designer Brendon Boney, and movement and fight director Tim Dashwood.
'Mum Club' will run at Belvoir's Downstairs Theatre from August 22 to September 20, with previews from August 22 to 26 and opening nights on August 27 and 28.
Tickets are available through the Griffin Theatre Company website or by calling the box office on (02) 9361 3817.
