In a blend of cabaret, theatre and music, Marie Hamilton’s one woman show plunges us into the blissful highs and shattering lows of motherhood. With humour and heart, she shines a light on the unspoken pressures placed on new mothers and the difficult balancing act of raising a child and pursuing personal dreams.

We begin at the local leisure centre, where Hamilton walks us through her weekly routine – complete with the relatable nightmare of trying to fit a pram into a toilet cubicle. Between the chat, her phone buzzes – it’s her mother again, more absorbed in her own problems than Marie’s. Their exchanges, both live and remembered, are heavy with tension and resentment, touching on childhood memories that still linger.

After narrowly swerving a breakdown at the leisure centre, Hamilton has a revelation that she’s been neglecting her passion – making art, or more specifically, making theatre. As the story continues, she shares a witty, touching account of writing the very show we’re watching whilst raising her baby. She weaves songs into various points in the story, combining both humour and poignancy. In one particularly memorable number she sings about dropping her daughter off at a childminder’s and watching, heartbroken and guilty, as her baby clings to the minder instead of her. As she begins to rediscover her sense of self, her relationship with her mother grows more honest and understanding, and her connection to her own identity blossoms. 

Since this is such a personal piece, it could’ve been interesting to explore the history of Hamilton’s previous work / shows, especially in relation to how that part of her identity has shifted since having a baby. I think more of an emphasis on life before motherhood could’ve helped us contextualise the aspects she now feels disconnected from even more deeply. 

Having said that, we’re with her every step of the way on this rollercoaster of creativity and motherhood and when she invites us to join in on the final song, it’s really moving – there were more than a few tears around me.

Good news! MADONNA ON THE ROCKS is heading to Edinburgh Fringe from 31st July – 24th August, 11:55am at Assembly Roxy! Tickets available here.