Mother Dad at the Omnibus Theatre tells two stories of different imperfect parents trying to do the best they can.
Toyin Ayedun-Alase is a 16-year-old mum who wants to be independent but quickly realises that independence can feel lonely.
As she and her daughter grow up, she is resolute in her desire to make sure her daughter does not follow in her footsteps, but this determination, combined with the demands of work, creates a distance between them.
Ayedun-Alase brings real sensitivity to the role, capturing first a youthful naivete, stubbornness and then growing confidence with moments of doubt beneath it.
Andy Seller plays a married dad of twin girls, and trying to be a good, hands-on parent. He feels the pressure to stay calm and collected, but struggles when that composure begins to crack.
Seller too brings sensitivity to his performance as a loving parent, but with an underlying sense of doubt and a level of control that is fragile.
Mother Dad is a play about parenting without the gloss. It shows the struggles, strains and emotional gymnastics.
The lighting could be more slick in its transitions, and some scenes are a little too dark.
And around the two-thirds mark, the play briefly loses momentum but finds its focus again as it moves towards its denouement.
Final thoughts
Mother Dad is an absorbing and emotionally engaging piece of theatre that digs beneath the surface to show the realities of parenting and does so with empathy and strong performances.
I’m giving it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Mother Dad, Omnibus Theatre
Written by Doug Deans
Directed by Kathleen O’Dougherty
Cast: Toyin Ayedun-Alase and Andy Sellers
Running time 70 minutes without an interval.
Booking until 31 January, 2026; for more information and to buy tickets, visit the Omnibus Theatre website.
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