My Mother Said I Never Should

Charlotte Keatley's powerful, poignant drama follows four generations of mothers and daughters through the sweeping societal changes of the 20th century ‘A landmark play, the theatrical equivalent of breaking the four-minute mile’ Guardian Written in 1985, this groundbreaking play premiered at Contact Theatre, Manchester, in 1987. It subsequently won the Royal Court/George Devine Award and the Manchester Evening News Best New Play Award, and in 2000, the National Theatre included it in their list of the 100 ‘Significant Plays of the 20th Century’. Translated into 33 languages, it has been performed worldwide and is acknowledged as a contemporary classic. Set in Manchester and London and moving back and forth in time between 1923 and 1987, it focuses on four women from one working-class family, bound together by entanglement and estrangement. Born at the turn of the century, matriarch Doris sacrifices her teaching career to become a wife and mother. Her daughter Margaret believes ‘women can do anything’, but finds herself in ‘50s suburbia juggling work and domesticity. When Margaret’s daughter Jackie, an art student and 1970s hippy, falls pregnant at 18 and has baby Rosie, a decision is made that will have profound and lasting effects on them all… As they navigate the highs and lows of their lives, balancing the complexities of motherhood, education, career and self-expression, we witness how each new generation is able to push further than their parents – and how the choices of one generation affect the potential of the next. Adapted for audio by Keatley herself, this moving, funny and bittersweet drama features an all-female cast, and stars Lesley Nicol, Siobhan Finneran, Cecilia Appiah and Bebe Massey. Production credits Written and adapted by Charlotte Keatley Produced and Directed by Nadia Molinari Pianist: Adam Hutchins Sound Design by Sharon Hughes Production Co-ordinator: Pippa Day This production is dedicated to the memory of Wyllie Longmore Cast Doris – Lesley Nicol Margaret – Siobhan Finneran Jackie – Cecilia Appiah Rosie – Bebe Massey Child Doris – Matilda Kent Child Margaret – Isla Pritchard Child Jackie – Mimi-Raie Mhlanga First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 28 April-5 May 2024 © 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2024 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd