mother's day

A one-woman comedy-drama about family and dreams

Pauline is not an extra, she’s an additional actress: she adds to the scene. After an unexpected blessing in the form of Samantha, light-of-her-life, she battles a jealous mother, an unhelpful husband, and film sets without crèches, to succeed as a working mother in film and TV, landing her dream role in Eastenders. Or does she? Should her daughter, Samantha, follow in her footsteps? And who would have made a better Florence in Angel of Crimea, Pauline or her daughter?

Mothers’ Day deals with the taboo of competition between mothers and daughters down the generations, and the tension between wanting your offspring to succeed, and wanting the opportunities they have for yourself. 

Pauline – Sarah Wanendeya

Directed by Penny Gkritzapi

Written by Giles Fernando

Based on The DVD of Me by Davina Leonard and Giles Fernando

About Sarah Wanendeya

Sarah trained at Mountview Academy and whilst there created her play 'Becoming The Invisible Woman', which had three runs in London & Milton Keynes. Most recently, she received an Independent Shorts Award for her role in (Wo)men and has performed at Southwark Playhouse as part of Directors’ Cut Theatre Company.

About the Director

Penny Gkritzapi trained in acting at drama school in Athens and then studied for her MA in directing in London. She recently directly the award-nominated Chemistry at the ACT Theatre, Brighton, and she has regularly directed shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

About the Writer

Giles is a playwright and bookwriter. His musicals have been shortlisted for the Stiles and Drewe Prize three times (Stars, 2018; Fallen Angel, 2021, and This Moment, 2023). His plays include Like Father Like Son (2015 winner of the HighTide Bootcamp), Gagged (Adrian Pagan shortlist) and Don’t Look Down (Kings Head Theatre).

ticket information

Performance dates: Wednesday 21st & Thursday 22nd February 2024

Tickdts: £14 / £12

Time: 8.30pm