Mother and Child (2024).
Written by Jon Fosse.
Directed by Johan Bark.
Dublin, Ireland, 2024.
Mother and Child (2024).
'Mother and Child,' a powerful exploration of the complex adult mother-son relationship, written by 2023 Nobel laureate Jon Fosse. Glass Mask Theatre is the first theatre in Ireland to stage the celebrated work of Fosse, after his Nobel Prize announcement in 2023.
Written by: Jon Fosse.
Direction: Johan Bark.
Cast:
Carmel Stephens.
Kyle Hixon.
Set, costume and lighting design: Johan Bark.
Assistant Director and Stage Manager: Sibéal Ni Mhaoileoin.
Assistant Stage Manager and Intern: Nick Sturman.
Artistic Director, Glass Mask Theatre: Rex Ryan.
Producer and Venue Manager: Miglė Ryan.
Photo and Video content by Wen Driftwood.
"In a claustrophobic room in Oslo, witness how a son's stoic silence and defiance clash with the mother's enchanting charm and tension-filled chatter, revealing the secrets of their common and controversial history. A riveting journey unfolds further for every carefully written word, climaxing in a series of current and thought-provoking questions about motherhood, controversial career choices, pressures from society, religion, regret, family confrontation and more."
Dublin, Ireland, 2024.
Premiered at the Glass Mask Theatre in Dublin, Ireland, March-April, 2024.
““Director Johan Bark heroically adds abstract and manic movement to ramp up energy.””
““Wild, relentless and frenetic.””
““Carmel Stephens and Kyle Hixon give energetic, muscular performances.””
““(Carmel) Stephen’s climbing beautifully as she gives voice to modern hypocrisies… and doesn’t waste an ounce of emotion so she can achieve optimum impact.””
““(Carmel) Stephen’s mesmerising as she questions the experience and institution of motherhood.””
““Exploring the European avant garde… is a brave move, Glass Mask giving us a glimpse at the theatrical talent of the most recent Nobel prizewinner.””
““Bark is also the designer and the show has a distinct visual polish... His costumes are a stylish mix... Clever use of mirrors reflects the audience back on itself — an invitation to search for meaning within rather than on the stage.””
““Staging of Nobel laureate Jon Fosse’s Mother and Child is a cultural public service””