Theatre review The messy, unvarnished edges of motherhood

Want a crash course in the reality of motherhood? Head to Jane Upton's panoramic and boundlessly imaginative, Bruntwood prize-shortlisted play.

- Anya Ryan

It zips through scenes from M's life after the birth of her first child - an old flame from school tells her he “expected more” from her; she bickers with her husband about not wanting sex anymore - but (the) Woman is much more than an ordered presentation of ideas.

M (a gut-punching Lizzy Watts) is a writer, and what we're watching is her attempt to create a play that captures motherhood with all its messy, unvarnished edges.