By Doug Deans

Directed by Kathleen O’Dougherty

“and I love her. I love her.
I do love her. I think I do.”

2 people.
A Mum to someone. A Dad to someone else.
Both new to it. Both learning.
He’s loving it. She’s…managing.
2 stories.
17 years. 1 afternoon.

Just keep going. Tell yourself you’re doing your best. That’s all they need.
Right?

A woman stands in a pub doorway, checking ID’s, waiting for a call. A man sits at the kitchen table with his children, waiting for a call. Their lives couldn’t be more different. But if they could see each other…

Hit theatre company Chronic Insanity, the team behind the multi-award-nominated ★★★★★ fringe hit 24, 23, 22 return to Omnibus Theatre in January 2026 with the world premier of this potent and provocative new play. Mother.Dad is a raw and raucous look at love, parenthood, class, and the sheer madness of raising a family in the 21st century.

Written by rising star Doug Deans (“smartly cyclical writing” The Guardian) Mother.Dad was selected for the Lyric Hammersmith’s first open script submission from over 400 scripts. It was also shortlisted from open submissions for the Bush Theatre and Royal Court Theatre, and was Longlisted for the Verity Bargate Award.

Creative Team

Writer – Doug Deans

Director – Kathleen O’Dougherty

Designer – Joe Strickland

Dramaturgy – Sam Pout

Produced by Chronic Insanity

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Cast

Her – Toyin Ayedun-Alase

Him – Andy Sellers

Praise for Chronic Insanity
★★★★★ Everything Theatre
★★★★★ Theatre Scotland
★★★★★ Three Weeks
★★★★★ ChapterZ Magazine
★★★★ The Stage