[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none” last=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all”][fusion_separator style_type=”none” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” sep_color=”” top_margin=”10px” bottom_margin=”10px” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center” /][fusion_text]
Challenging the stereotype of single mums as teenagers wearing tracksuits, scrounging off the benefits system and raising children in broken, dysfunctional homes, Libby Liburd presents her personal experiences and experiences of other single mothers of all ages, backgrounds and situations. Muvvahood is taken from hours of interviews and extensive research into government policy to create a humorous and frank hour that mixes verbatim theatre, stand up and TED talk to ask if the children of single mothers actually live off cheesy chips and need rescuing by Jamie Oliver.
In the UK, 1 in 4 families are headed by a single parent, and 91% of single parents are mothers. Despite popular perception, the average age of a single mother is 38, and half of single parents had their children within marriage. Libby Liburd’s Guardian video on the topic, ‘What is our problem with single mothers?’ was one of most popular in the parenting series ‘In my Opinion’ with over two million views.
Libby said, “Single mothers are portrayed in a negative way by the media, and when you keep reinforcing those stereotypes you create a specific, damaging message; that a family headed by a single mother is not a family, but a ‘broken home’. I wanted to make a show that not only counteracted that derisive messaging but also some-thing that drilled down into how these stereotypes have come about, how these prejudices exist and why as a society we just accept them. I did months of extensive research into government policy, society and how those in power respond to single mothers, and a lot of what I uncovered shocked me. Even as a single mother myself who is living it, who has experienced housing difficulties, financial difficulties and direct prejudice, I was still shocked – I’d simply never thought that my experiences were as a consequence of a bigger picture. When you are raising children alone, you do find yourself isolated, stuck in that bubble of just getting on, just getting by.”
Muvvahood was first presented as a work-in-progress at Camden People’s Theatre as part of Sprint Festival and the Tristan Bates Theatre’s First Festival of Solo Performances. For its London tour, the show will be accompanied by an initiative to help local parents access the show, including creches, relaxed performances and ticket deals offered via local networks. She will also be offering pre- and post-show workshops with single mothers.
Muvvahood will play at The Park Theatre, Popular Union, Mirth Marvel & Maud and The Pleasance.
[/fusion_text][fusion_separator style_type=”none” top_margin=”20″ bottom_margin=”” sep_color=”” border_size=”” icon=”” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_color=”” width=”” alignment=”center” class=”” id=”” /][fusion_title margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” size=”3″ content_align=”left” style_type=”none” sep_color=””]
More from Theatre Weekly…
[/fusion_title][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ layout=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none” last=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all”][fusion_widget_area name=”avada-custom-sidebar-androidsidebar” background_color=”” padding=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” /][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ layout=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none” last=”no” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all”][fusion_widget_area name=”avada-custom-sidebar-righthandnews” background_color=”” padding=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” /][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
