This is a recovery story.

Ann and her new-born have been detained without trial on a medieval plague island. Betrayed by family, sectioned and lactating, Ann is surrounded by grotesque doctors under the light of a blood red moon. This is the world of Ann’s mind. Imaginatively staged, and packed with camaraderie, humour and original live music, after birth is a story of hope.

Directed by Grace Duggan (Wood, Vault Festival 2019, Intravenous, The North Wall), and written by Zena Forster (The Fourth Dog Human Story Theatre, Antigona and Me Arts at the Old Fire Station), this life-affirming new play is rooted in real life testimonies of women who experienced psychosis after the birth of their babies.

“A funny deeply moving play about the miseries and craziness that new mothers too often keep a secret.” Kate Clanchy, Author

after birth was selected as The North Wall’s Propeller Platform production in 2020. The Propeller programme at The North Wall provides practical support for the development of exciting new work which begins its life in Oxfordshire, supporting brilliant companies and artists in the region who deserve to have their work seen by a wider audience.