Son of a Bitch, written and performed by Anna Morris, Directed by Madelaine Moore. Southwark Playhouse, the Little. 77 Newington Causeway, London SE1 until 15 March 2025.

4☆☆☆☆. Review: William Russell.

“The perils of motherhood.”

Marnie has discovered that a clip showing her on a flight back to England from Dubai has gone viral. Everyone is talking about her. And not in a nice way. This monologue devised by Moore is skillfully delivered by Anna Morris and has a lot to say about children, parenthood and the things owners of mobile phones can do to people they really do not know. Marnie is not enjoying motherhood. Her four year old son Charlie is a monster. Her husband Jake is usually absent on business, has insisted on their moving to a new house in the country from which it is difficult to escape and has discovered, like his wife that their son is unbearable. What we get is a 60 minute chat by Marnie about what happens on the flight back from Dubai – he has been there on business, she and Jake had gone for a holiday. But at the aurport Jake gets upgraded leaving her to sit in their original seats with Charlie at the window and in the aisle seat a friendly young woman with whom she chats. We also learn all about her marriage and how bad Jake is as Marnie talks directly to the audience and discovers that as far as the cabin crew are concerned she is the nanny travelling with Jake's son. She also learns from her new friend that Jake was not upgraded simply as businessman known to the airline but had asked to be upgraded. The result is a scene, she is forcibly taken back to cattle class and then Charlie plays up and the fatal words are uttered, As for that friendly girl in the aisle seat – she takes out her phone and does what people with mobile phnes do. It is funny, well played and has enough to say about having to cope with the child from hell not to mention a husband whose genes it has inherited. Charlie may be son of a bitch but he is also son of a bastard.

Cast

Anna Morris - Marnie

Creatives

Director - Madelaine Moore

Writer - Anna Morris

Sound Designer – Ellie Isherwood

Lighting Designer – Megan Lucas

Set Designer – Cory Shipp