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  • Venue King's Head Theatre, London
  • Performance dates Booking to 24 November 2024
  • Running time 90 minutes
  • Age guidelines 14+

Get How To Survive Your Mother tickets

How do you navigate a crazy, glamorous, narcissistic, scandal-loving mother whose idea of fun is to turn your 1970s family home into Britain’s first ever gay hotel?

Acclaimed writer and performer Jonathan Maitland (Dead Sheep, An Audience with Jimmy Savile, The Interview) writes and stars in this true story about a Technicolor Woman in a black and white world. Emma Davies (Golda, Mosley, Cape Wrath) leads the cast as the Mother with the four adult cast members playing nearly 40 roles between them.

A witty, poignant and often hilarious exploration of the complexities of mother-child relationships, this new play shines a searingly fresh light on the oldest question in the parenting book: what does it take to be ‘a good mother’?

A chance meeting leads a writer to investigate his mother’s secret past and trawl through memories of her colourful life. It’s perfect subject matter for a play. But should he be exposing her private life for public entertainment? And why is he starring in the play as himself?

How to Survive Your Mother is playing at the King’s Head Theatre in London from 23 October to 24 November 2024.

A Technicolor woman in a black and white world. How do you navigate a crazy, glamorous, narcissistic, scandal-loving mother whose idea of fun is to turn your family home into Britain’s first ever gay hotel? A witty, poignant and often hilarious exploration of the complexities of mother-child relationships, this new play shines a searingly fresh light on the oldest question in the parenting book: what does it take to be ‘a good mother’?

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Performance Information

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Stars and Creatives

Who is in the cast of How to Survive Your Mother?

The cast features Emma Davies as the Mother; Peter Clements as The Man from the Council and the Policeman; John Wark as Ivor, Mr Strutt and the Rabbi; Stephen Ventura as The Judge, The Headmaster, The Neighbour and others; and, Jonathan Maitland as himself.

The roles of The Son as a young boy and The Grandson will be shared by Brodie Edwards and Howard Webb.

Who are the creative team of How to Survive Your Mother?

Written by Jonathan Maitland, Directed by Oliver Dawe

Important Notes

Content Warnings: Scenes containing offensive language and physical and emotional abuse. Themes include suicide, serious physical and mental illness, death and anti-Semitism

There will be post-show discussions with Emma Davies and Jonathan Maitland after the matinees hosted by BAFTA winning film maker and integrative therapist Olivia Lichtenstein on 30 October, by BBC broadcaster Julian Worricker on 6 November, and BBC Radio broadcaster Caroline Wyatt on 13 November.

Venue Information

King's Head Theatre , Islington Square 116 Upper Street, London, N1 1AB

Nearest Tube or Train: Angel(Northern Line), Highbury & Islington (Victoria Line or Overground)

Nearest Buses: 4, 19, 30, 43

Directions

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Critics' reviews of How to Survive Your Mother

★★★★ “A beautiful and moving production that received the ovation it deserved" - Broadway World

"Rooted in powerful emotions ... raw and truthful" - The Stage

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Survive Your Mother is playing at the King's Head Theatre in London
The running time of How to Survive Your Mother is 90 minutes
The age recommendations for How to Survive Your Mother are: 14+
Yes, How to Survive Your Mother has matinee performances on the following days: Wednesday, Saturday
No, sorry, How to Survive Your Mother has now completed its run and is no longer on sale.

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