Mary’s Daughters – The Space, London

Writers: Kaya Bucholc and Will Wallace

Director: Kay Brattan

Mary’s Daughters delves into the intricate history and dynamics between Mary Wollstonecraft and her daughters, Mary Shelley and Fanny Imlay. As the play commences, a breathy and pulsating sound design sets the stage, accompanied by three figures in black repeating simple movements, seemingly ensnared in time.

Fanny, a self-proclaimed first-time storyteller, initiates the discourse by confronting the stereotype of perpetually existing in the shadow of her family. Throughout the unfolding narrative, the layers of resentment and pain within these relationships are artfully explored, allowing the characters to confront the unspoken and unresolved aspects of their lives.

Kaya Bucholc shines as a captivating narrator and moving underdog, while all three performers demonstrate a commanding presence in their movement pieces, embodying the resilience of women who have navigated countless challenges.

Writers Kaya Bucholc and Will Wallace do an impressive job of making the biographical elements feel personal and the fluidity of the narrative, unconstrained by chronological order, adds a dynamic layer to the storytelling, unravelling the complexity of these familial bonds. The incorporation of catty humour offers a welcome respite amidst the weighty narrative, although at times, the emotional depth explored may lack subtlety. While the resolutions for Shelley and Wollstonecraft feel satisfying in their legacies, Fanny’s narrative seems to lack closure, leaving her character somewhat adrift.

Marysia Bucholc’s set design, characterized by timeless textures and versatile elements, effectively transforms the space. Moving lace screens and white sheets are employed poetically, casting shifting silhouettes that mirror the unfolding scenes and underscore themes of overshadowing. The restrained use of colour serves to distinguish each character’s essence, seamlessly transitioning into various props that breathe life into different moments of the narrative.

Mary’s Daughters offers a refreshing take on biographical storytelling, shedding light on both the well-known and forgotten aspects of its central figures. With further refinement in both text and performance, it possesses the potential to illuminate a narrative deserving of audience attention.

Runs until 30 March 2024