The Motherload
The Motherload is an interactive live gameshow where two teams compete for the crown of Ultimate Queen Mumma.
For each performance four guest mum ‘contestants’ join The Motherload host and Team Captains on stage for a series of bizarre, boisterous and downright hilarious tasks torn from the very real experiences of motherhood. Guaranteed to provide laughter, relatability and catharsis for mothers and non-mothers alike.
Co-creators: Julie Waddington, Carrie McLean, Bryony Geeves, Melissa King and Rebecca Thomson
The Motherload is available to tour from 2026. The show is suitable for a wide variety of venues and spaces as a stand alone performance or as part of a festival, conference or community event. Contact us for more information
Past shows
Tasmanian Regional Tour:
Cygnet Town Hall - August 2023
Studio 9B, New Norfolk - August 2023
Theatre North: George Town, Deloraine & Scottsdale - June 2023
Burnie Arts and Function Centre - May 2023
Theatre Royal Hobart - May 2023
Premiere Season
Peacock Theatre, Hobart - October 2021
Arts Theatre, Launceston - Junction Arts Festival - September 2021
ArtsHub Review from premiere season >>
"The three performers are buoyant, joyous, spontaneous, clever, resourceful. . .perfect in fact. As directed by Julie Waddington, the show is intelligent, generous, warm and laugh-out-loud funny." ARTSHUB
The Team
Director: Julie Waddington
Performers: Bryony Geeves, Melissa King,
Carrie McLean, Jane Johnson.
Sound Design: Jacky Collyer
Production Design: Ros Wren
Lighting Design: Toni Smith
Stage Manager: Clare Spillman
Photography Film: Rebecca Thomson
Trailer Editing: Amy Brown
Title Logo: Angela Pelizzari
The Project
MENTAL - The Motherload is an ongoing multi outcome arts project connecting, validating and empowering mothers as we dig into the experience of the 'mental load' of motherhood. Birthed in 2018 the project has involved hundreds of mothers of all ages and stages of motherhood across lutruwita / Tasmania, Australia and the world through workshops, online creative encounters, open rehearsals, live performances and short films.
The Motherload is the first production of never.the.less, a new production group founded by director and producer Julie Waddington. never.the.less productions is inspired by and seeks to tell stories of resilience, perseverance, drive, strength, boundaries, empathy, inspiration and hope.
AUDIENCE FEEDBACK
"Medicine is the perfect word for it. I really needed the belly laughs. Walked out feeling I was doing a good job despite the tantrums, bickering and inconsistent discipline!"
Melissa, widowed mum of three young boys
"My pelvic floor was not strong enough to withstand the laughter generated from this show"
Cassie Xintavelonis, mum of two
"What an awesome premier season! Can’t wait to see this tour to mums everywhere, who will laugh and cry, be validated and feel empowered all at once! Such important work! Congratulations to the whole team!"
Jacqueline de Jonge mum of two
SUPPORT
The Motherload project has been assisted through Arts Tasmania by the Minister for the Arts, made possible by the Australian Government's Regional Arts Fund, which supports the arts in regional and remote Australia.
for full details of supporters and community partners >>
We acknowledge all First Nations people of lutruwita / Tasmania, who have continuously practiced art and culture on this island for over fifty thousand years.