A performer in purple cuddles a performer in orange, with their legs in the air.
A performer smiles, wearing lavender, holding a pink plastic tube, standing in front of a textured brain like structure made from soft fabrics. It is red and pink.
A performer wearing orange looks delighted
A performer in purple cuddles a performer in orange, with their legs in the air.
BABY BRAIN
TOURING HULL'S FAMILY HUBS, LIBRARIES AND COMMUNITY CENTRES, SEPT - OCT 26
A MIND-BLOWING NEW SHOW FOR BABIES AND PARENTS
Baby's Brain Grows
Mum's Brain Rewires
Everything Changes
Imagine you were responsible for building somebody else’s brain. Without plans. Without experience. Oh, and your brain has just completely rewired. Welcome to motherhood.
Baby Brain is a radical new show from The Herd Theatre. Inspired by real life stories and cutting edge neuroscience, and packed with music and sensory play, this is a show for babies and parents.
AGE GUIDANCE
This show is made for babies under 12 months and their grown ups, older siblings are welcome.
0-12
MONTHS
DATES AND LOCATIONS IN HULL
Monday Sept 21st - Gipsyville Library - 11:00 & 13:30
Tuesday Sept 22nd - Marfleet Family Hub - 11:00 & 13:30
Wednesday Sept 23rd - Bransholme Chat Shop - 11:00 & 13:30
Thursday Sept 24th - Fred More Library - 11:00 & 13:30
Friday Sept 25th - Priory Family Hub - 11:00 & 13:30
Monday Oct 5th - Gipsyville Library - 11:00 & 13:30
Tuesday Oct 6th - Freedom Centre - 11:00 & 13:30
Wednesday Oct 7th - Bransholme Chat Shop - 11:00 & 13:30
Thursday Oct 8th - Acorns Family Hub - 11:00 & 13:30
Friday Oct 9th - Parks Family Hub - 11:00 & 13:30
Monday Oct 12th - Gipsyville Library - 11:00 & 13:30
Tuesday Oct 13th - Freedom Centre - 11:00 & 13:30
Wednesday Oct 14th - Bransholme Chat Shop - 11:00 & 13:30
Thursday Oct 15th - Hull Central Library, James Reckitt Reading Room - 11:00 & 13:30
Friday Oct 16th - Octagon Family Hub - 11:00 & 13:30
Monday Oct 19th - Gipsyville Library - 11:00 & 13:30
Tuesday Oct 20th - Ings Library - 11:00 & 13:30
Wednesday Oct 21st - Bransholme Chat Shop - 11:00 & 13:30
Thursday Oct 22nd - Western Library - 11:00 & 13:30
Friday Oct 23 - Fenchurch Family Hub - 11:00 & 13:30
CAST
MUM BRAIN HOLLY MIMI BERNICE
BABY BRAIN STASHA DUKIC
CREATIVES
CONCEPT BY RUBY THOMPSON AND SAM CASELEY
WRITTEN BY RUBY THOMPSON, SAM CASELEY AND SONIA JALALY
DIRECTED BY RUBY THOMPSON
MUSIC BY YSSI WOMBWELL AND SAM CASELEY
DESIGNED BY HOLD COLLECTIVE - SARAH MARSH AND STEPHANIE JEFFERIES
LIGHTING INSTALLATION BY ED GRIMOLDBY
PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT BY LUKE JAMES
STAGE MANAGEMENT BY CHARLOTTE HANSON
CO-DEVISED WITH THE CAST
SHOW PHOTOGRAPHY BY HOLLIE MATEER
SHOW POSTER GRAPHIC DESIGN BY REBECCA DRURY
ACCESSIBILITY
BABY BRAIN has limited spoken language. There are three songs in the song. The lyrics can be found here. Every performance of BABY BRAIN is relaxed - the audience area is mostly well lit, it's ok to come, go and make noise if you need to.
The show takes place in family hubs, schools, and various community spaces. The audience sit very close to the stage, on soft carpeted floor. Hard chairs with backs are available if you would prefer. We ask that audiences take off their shoes, if they can, before entering the show.
To protect the set, we ask that you don't eat or drink anything other than water or milk in a bottle in the space. Breast or bottle feeding is very welcome throughout.
And the end of the show, the performers will leave the space and they'll be an opportunity to explore and play together for up to 20 minutes.
If you'd like to find out exactly what happens in the show and your more information about your visit, please read our What to Expect Guide.
If you'd like a quick introduction to the show for yourself or your child, you can have a look at our overview page.
SUPPORT
If you have been affected by any of the themes raised in the play Baby Brain, and would like further support please see these links below.
You are not alone. The process of pregnancy and birth is a vulnerable time for mental illness. Experiencing perinatal or postnatal mental illness is not your fault, you are not a bad or weak person, or parent. This show has been made by people who have been through this too.
Contact your Heath Visitor or GP
House of Light, is a dedicated local Hull charity specialising in perinatal mental health during pregnancy and up to two years post-birth.
Call 01482 580499 or email help@houseoflight.org.uk
MIND this webpage on the UK's leading Mental Health charity is brilliant, it has specific information around perinatal and postnatal support servies for a wide range of different needs and experiences.
PANDAS a national charity with free services to provide hope, empathy and support to the families affected by a perinatal mental illness and to support parents from conception through to birth and beyond.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND BABY BRAIN
Here's an accompanying guide we made around the science behind the show.
Further Reading and Research Sources
About Mum's brain
‘Matrescence’ Book by Lucy Jones
‘Baby Brain - What’s Really Going On?’ Documentary, BBC Iplayer
About Baby's brain
‘The Oxford University Brain Story’ Online Resources
‘Alberta Family Wellness Initiative’ Online Resources
A huge thank you to Helen Tan from Hull City Council, the Developmental Linguistics team at The University of York, Dr Catherine Laing and Dr Florence Oxley, Hull Libraries, Hull City Council Family Hubs, Back to Ours and Freedom Festival.
