Writer Tim McArthur joins us on Close-Up Culture to talk about A Word for Mother.
Inspired by McArthur’s upbringing, the show revolves around the intertwined history of four women, sisterly relationships, and motherly love. Premiering with an all-female cast and creative team this spring, the play is brimming with heart and will leave you wanting to squeeze your loved-ones even tighter. Catch it at Upstairs at the Gatehouse this summer.
Tell us a bit about A Word for Mother.
A Word for Mother is about a mother and her three daughters, the play starts with the sudden passing of the mother. The three girls come home to sort everything out. As the plays progresses you discover the hidden tensions, secrets and lies amongst the family group. It’s a play that has 4 main female characters, no men in the play. It’s a celebration of women and their strength when challenged.
How does it feel to be performing at Upstairs at the Gatehouseas a local resident?
Upstairs at the Gatehouse has been a vital part to my career. I played Sparky in Forever Plaid, Katie and John Plews first ever Christmas show there in 1998, the following year we toured it for 4 months. I have also performed in Cole, Side by Side Sondheim, various solo shows, a two – hander comedy show with Helen Lederer, and the first show I ever produced When Harry Met Barry. Now to return to UAG as a writer I feel very lucky.
What makes you most excited about this project?
I started working on this play in 2019. Over the years I have done 3 readings and each time made alterations, refined the dialogue. Asked questions what if, does that work? Now it feels ready to have a full production. I am delighted with my creative team, Sarah Redmond directing whom I have known for many years. The cast are fabulous. I have been a huge fan of the actress Lousie Gold and we were delighted when she showed interest in playing Pru our Mother, then accepted. It was also really important to me that the whole team on the show was female. I have had such a strong female influence in my personal and professional life and I wanted to write a story for women about women. No men. There are not a lot of plays that just feature strong female characters and stories.
What has been the biggest challenge when writing the show?
Getting the play on! Theatre, is really hard work getting new work staged. I am so lucky to have very two lovely supportive investors who believe in me. I have not been writing for long and still probably a toddler in the journey path of writing. But I had the idea buzzing for A word for Mother around in my head for about 2 months whilst I was playing Widow Twankyin Aladdin in panto. I think I am understanding my process now, I will have the idea, I write ideas down and then one day I just sit down at the lap top and the characters start to breathe and the story unfolds.
What can audiences expect to take away from A Word For Mother?
Hopefully a play that makes the audience talk about the subject matters raised in the play.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Well, I am a huge fan of the Eurovision, back for its 4th year, is Eurovision Your Decision, this is my homage to Eurovision Song Contest. It’s like watching Eurovision, 4 performers take to the stage and they perform 13 songs from the history of the competition. In the interval the audience vote for their favourite performance of the night. This opens at the Kings Head Theatre on April 29th till may 11th. Then in June I head to the USA, to perform my comedy character Sister Mary, which I have been doing for many years, she is performing for the season at the Red Room in Provincetown opens June 28th till September 2nd, then straight back to the UK for rehearsals for my next play Small Town Boys, which opens at the Union Theatre on September 12th.
Feel very lucky this year to have so many projects. Waiting for someone to wake me up and say its all a dream. Then who knows, have one idea growing which will be very different. Must get that pen to paper at some point probably when I have my days free when not being a nun. Lolz.
For more info – Upstairs at the Gatehouse – Award Winning London Theatre
Thanks for a great article, keen to see this now!