one4review | On 11, Aug 2025

Marie Hamilton delivers a solo show that is emotionally charged and deeply resonant.

She begins the performance dressed as the Virgin Mary—a role she first played at six years old in her school nativity. The crown she wore was resplendent and homemade.

Drawing from her own experience with postnatal depression, Hamilton explores the tangled web of multigenerational blocked care—the inherited emotional burdens passed down through mothers and daughters. She is trying to rediscover herself and rebuild her confidence after entering a new chapter in her life.

Her storytelling is fiercely honest, laced with humour and heartbreak. She doesn’t just speak to the audience; she speaks for the mothers among them who may have lost their voice.

Her songs blend influences from Madonna, Peaches, and Nina Simone, but feature heartfelt and personal lyrics. The audience was encouraged to join in an impactful closing song that felt like a sermon.

The show’s impact was palpable. As the audience left the venue, one woman hugged Hamilton, tears streaming down her face. I left the theatre shaken—in the best way. The performance stirred something in me, and I found myself reaching out to a friend, simply asking for a hug. That moment of vulnerability was a direct result of Hamilton’s courage on stage.

She ended the show with a plea: if you see a loved one struggling, encourage them to seek help. It was a call to action wrapped in compassion—a reminder that empowerment isn’t just about strength, but about connection and care.

***1/2
Reviewed by Louise

Assembly Roxy, until 24 Aug, 11:55am