Otherhood

Staging stories of living without children

Childlessness or being childfree – either through choice or circumstance – cuts across society and affects many people.  Even though there are more adults now living without children, it’s a subject that is often not talked about.

We are three artists, all of whom are childless for different reasons. We have started the process of making a new theatre show that explores childlessness for everyone.

In Autumn 2022 we carried out a first phase of research and development on the project, working with diverse groups of childless and child-free people. We ran a series of creative workshops in partnership with three theatre venues and four community organisations (listed below), using oral storytelling, facilitated conversations and writing for wellbeing techniques to enable participants to safely share their personal stories. This generated a rich repository of recorded testimony, which we used to inform a short creative process. In this we played with possibilities for how we might begin to tell a story rooted in lived experience – its complexities and struggles – but also funny, humane and hopeful. We shared work in progress with an invited audience at Kala Sangam in Bradford at the end of October.

We have created a short film which shares our process so far.

“The Otherhood project really helped me understand how I truly feel about not being a dad.”

“…it was a great platform to actually speak my truth when my experience doesn’t fit the ‘norm’”

We are currently working on the next stage of development for the project which will see us collaborating with partners to further develop the script, exploring performance mediums with an expanded team of artists, and developing accompanying activities to support audiences. We will update this site with more details once funding has been secured and plans are underway. 

If you would like to stay in touch, feel you have a contribution to make to the project or have any questions, then please get in touch with D.pakkarhull@gmail.com.  You can also follow us on Twitter.

Project Team

LEAD ARTISTS

Deborah Pakkar Hull Director

Deborah is an independent theatre-maker and director who specialises in small-scale performance work and collaborative processes. She has directed shows in theatres, educational, heritage and community settings.

Helen Foster Research Lead

Helen is a freelance writer, facilitator and an academic researcher with research interests in the fields of therapeutic-writing practices.

Emma Adams Writer

Emma is a playwright, screenwriter and dramaturg from Bradford. She’s written plays to be performed in houses, libraries, swimming pools and graveyards (and on stages too).

Ben Rothera Producer

Maria Thelwell Engagement & Project Coordinator

ACTORS / ARTISTS on the first R&D process

Alyce Liburd

Anna Morris

Lou Sumray

Simone Lewis

Project Partners

Ageing Without Children organisation providing support for people ageing without children

Equity Partnership charity supporting LGBTQ+ groups and individuals in Bradford

Kala Sangam intercultural arts centre in Bradford

The Lawrence Batley Theatre producing theatre and touring venue in Huddersfield

Mind the Gap England’s leading learning disability live arts company

Waterside Arts regional hub for performance in Trafford

Womenzone charity supporting the needs of local women experiencing disadvantage in Bradford

Funders