Rachel Smith
Photo by Scott van der Zanden
Mother Dark (a 53new production) *
This Mother should be living alone in a caravan on the moors, by herself, and did we mention alone? Fat chance when everyone around her keeps falling apart. Apparently rescuing is ‘enabling’ and ‘helping’ is the sunny side of control, but how do we let people go when there’s nothing left to catch them? Mother Dark is a blackly comic, wildly cathartic ride through co-dependence, mother rage and recovery, If you love a self help group and a banging 90s tune, if you yearn in these times for a (dark) Mother - this show is for you.
Along with showbiz legend Ursula Martinez, I’ve been working with Rachel since the beginning of her making journey - helping her shape dark autobiographical material into a story that sings, doesn’t trauma dump, but doesn’t shy away from the darkness either. She smashed her WIP in autumn 2025, and will continue making and developing the show with us in 2026.
“If you’re looking for a fiercely intelligent, open hearted, generous spirited story fiend, hire Annie Siddons. Working on my WIP solo show as one of my DYCP mentors, Annie has offered her dramaturgy expertise with wit and passion and unreserved commitment to the whole journey. I would have been lost without her wealth of show biz knowledge and instinct for storytelling, in fact I would likely not even have this ACE grant. Annie was there from the initial bid writing and was instrumental in helping me clarify the vision. Throughout the process she has shared her wealth of experience and pragmatic advice on the practicalities of theatre making as well as diving deep into the heart of my show. She is intuitive and emotionally intelligent in her approach, sensing when to challenge, when to pull back, when to reassure. Annie has been steadfast in her support and encouragement whenever I have found myself in a creative cul-de-sac or folded into self-doubt. She is also hilarious and a joy to be in a room with. If you are making a show, Annie is the artist you want by your side.”
