Last night instead of watching any firework displays or waving sparklers in a safety conscious manner, we were lucky enough to be invited to the preview night of ‘Expectations’, a play about the subject of miscarriage. Writer and performer Emma Deakin was inspired to write ‘Expectations’ after failing to find any material that reflected her experience with miscarriage.
‘Expectations’ director Stella Duffy, writing in The Guardian said: “We've been very interested in looking for the hope that does not come in the Hollywood cliche of a baby that makes it all better in the end. Any woman who has suffered a miscarriage, whether she's also had live births or not, knows that's not the reality. Emma's play dares to suggest that being a mother isn't the only way to be a fulfilled woman.”
The play features two couples – one happily married, one a pair of best friends – who are playing the gameshow ‘Expectations’ hosted by two Greek god-like characters. They make the couples play games that prove how in sync they are – charades, Pictionary and then Name that Tune on a stage that, with its red décor, is reminiscent of the womb.
Outside of the game the couples tell the story of when they conceived and how they made decisions about the pregnancy. Their problematic encounters with hospital staff are acted out and the pressure from parents who wish to become grandparents dealt with.
The statistics are hard to come by due to many people conceiving and miscarrying before they realised they were ever pregnant. However, it is believed that one in five pregnancies end in miscarriage and, while the majority of miscarriages cannot be prevented, very few people discuss the matter.
‘Expectations’ skilfully gets the conversation started about miscarriage, including aspects many feel are ignored, such as how the partner copes with the loss, through funny, sweet, physical theatre.
Expectations is staged by the Shaky Isles Theatre Company at The Pleasance Theatre, for more details click HERE!
