Play developed in partnership with NPEU wins award

Published on Wednesday, 18 March 2020 Tweet

A play developed in partnership with the NPEU has won this year's Propeller programme.

Written by Oxford playwright Zena Forster, after birth highlights the experiences of women who have suffered with psychosis after having their babies, and uses humour to affirm their resilience and survival.

NPEU senior researcher Rachel Rowe has led the collaboration, which also involves Fiona Alderdice, NPEU Social Scientist, Marian Knight, who leads investigations into maternal deaths in the MBRRACE-UK programme, and charity partners Action on Postpartum Psychosis.

We hope to engage audiences with research evidence about maternal mental health, to raise awareness, reduce stigma, encourage discussion and ultimately improve care and outcomes for women affected by postnatal mental illness. The play promotes some key public health messages about postnatal mental health, but importantly it’s also funny and full of hope – it should be a really good night out!

Directed by Grace Duggan (Wood, Vault Festival 2019) and produced by Emma Dolman, after birth will be staged at The North Wall from 4th to 6th June 2020.