A short pamphlet of performance writing from my performance ‘AfterBirth’ (2016).
Extract:
Sleep
2am. Drowsy still. And exhausted. Dad’s gone. It’s been 26 hours since it all began. But I was awake all day before that so that’s 44 hours. Apart from when I was out. Exhausted. But drowsy too. You’re crying. I am trying to latch you on. But I keep falling asleep. The midwife comes and tells me off for falling asleep with you in the bed. I’m too tired. I hadn’t noticed I’d fallen asleep. What time is it now? You’re crying in your cot and I can’t move to get you. I am talking to you. I tell you I want to pick you up. I tell you I’m sorry I can’t get to you. It doesn’t help you to go back to sleep. What time is it? 3am, 8am, that’s 5 hours before Dad can come back. 5 hours. Ok.
You can read the full pamphlet here.
You can read more about the performance here.