Often brushed off as the ‘baby blues’, postnatal depression causes many mothers to feel guilty and inadequate. For two in every thousand new mothers, postnatal depression develops into something far more frightening – postpartum psychosis. Within just a few days, people can experience hallucinations and feel disconnected from reality. Their manic behaviour becomes a serious threat to both mother and child.
‘Behind the Wallpaper’ is inspired by Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s ‘The Yellow Wallpaper’, which explores one woman’s struggle with postnatal depression and the subsequent destructive effects it has on her life and relationships. Overlooked by her ‘super mum’ sister Olivia, are the signs of Julie’s decline into postpartum psychosis being missed? And who is to blame?
As her mental health deteriorates, Julie becomes withdrawn, paranoid and deluded. Isolated and exhausted, what is it about the yellow wallpaper that irritates and distresses her? Will the shadows in the wallpaper consume Julie or will their liberation set her free?
Inspired by accounts of real women, Behind the Wallpaper is a gripping and poignant piece of theatre, which will leave you questioning if enough is being done to help sufferers of postpartum psychosis. Has our understanding and perception of mental health improved since Gilman’s warnings in her 1892 story, ‘The Yellow Wallpaper’? A newly written play by Rummage Theatre that continues to question your moral convictions and challenge social preconceptions.
Thursday 19th June, 7.30 pm, The Bay Theatre, Weymouth College, DT4 7LQ. Tickets are £8, £6 concessions and can be booked by calling the box office on 01305 208702 or by visiting www.ticketsource.co.uk/thebaytheatre
Rhea Soulsby
