Ripening

Written and Directed by
Jayde Kirchert

A new play about what it takes to become a mother.

May 28 — May 31, 2025

  • "Ripening, with its courageous exploration offers timely insight into the contemporary birth culture."

    Rhea Dempsey (Birth Educator, Counsellor, Doula, Activist, Author)

  • “It was brilliantly acted, and is an ‘eye opener’ to some about the harsh realities of our hospital maternity systems…”

    Juliana Brennan (Midwife and Director of Mamatoto Midwives)

  • "Ripening is the start of the conversation we should all be having. It is a must see for anyone who has a mother, is a mother, or knows a mother."

    Brodie Mattner (Creator of podcast, Mummafication)

Synopsis

Ripening is about what it takes to become a mother. It explores themes of family, self-empowerment, love, and celebrates the incredible power of a mother’s body to bring forth life. 

It follows Lea in the latter part of her pregnancy as she starts to prepare for what she believes will be a spiritually empowering experience of giving birth. However, when an unusually extended, sporadic pre-labour occurs, her plans are threatened by a hospital system where time is tightly managed, and babies have deadlines. Lea must face her ultimate fear of losing complete control over her body before she initiates the great transition into becoming the mother she wants to become, and finally meeting her baby in a way that is miraculous, transformative and ineffable.

Ripening is an eye-opening, funny and deeply moving play for anyone who has become a mother, knows a mother or feels called to motherhood.

This play will be presented at Gasworks Arts Park (Studio Theatre) as part of the 2025 Premiere Program.

Show info

Approx. running time: 90 minutes

Content Warnings: Birth trauma

Image by Stu Brown

Venue: Gasworks Arts Park,

Studio Theatre, 21 Graham Street,

Albert Park VIC 3206

Tickets on sale soon

  • Emily Carr

    Asha Khamis

    Ana Mitsikas

    Veronica Thomas

  • Written and Directed by Jayde Kirchert

    Set Design by Sarah Tulloch

    Costume Design by Aislinn Naughton

    Sound Design by Imogen Cygler

    Lighting Design by Clare Springett

    Stage Management by Teri Steer

  • This project is generously supported by the Robert Salzer Foundation.

    This project is also supported by the Australian Cultural Fund. Every dollar raised through the ACF fundraising platform will be matched with funding ‘boost’ up to $5000 from Creative Australia

  • A staged reading of Ripening took place at La Mama HQ, Aug 30 - Sep 1, 2024, as part of ‘Explorations’.

    It was directed by Melanie Hillman and cast included Veronica Thomas, Ana Mitsikas, Emily Carr and Susanna Qian. It was generously supported by the Ron and Margaret Dobell Foundation.

Images from the staged reading

Performances at La Mama Explorations,
La Mama HQ Theatre

Images by Darren Gill

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Images of staged reading at La Mama Explorations. Photos by Darren Gill
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