NEW WRITING

The moment when a parent descends from their all-powerful pedestal to become a person just like everyone else can be shocking. Yet, the horrifying thought, as childhood dwindles, that our parents are people to be interacted with, that they can become friends, or that they will eventually die, can be far more harrowing, even for those who have long since entered adulthood.

Croatian playwright Selma Dimitrijevic’s new work explores just such a troublesome period of family communication. ‘Basically it’s about the difficult relationship between mother and daughter, about how similar they are and how different they are, and that even though they are very similar it’s impossible for them to talk.’

The story of a mother whose daughter only visits once a week, Dimitrijevic is quick to point out the universal appeal. ‘It’s a very recognisable situation for anyone who is a mother or a daughter,’ she says. ‘But it’s not a particularly feminine play, it’s not just for girls or women.’

The title, and the imaginative seed for the play are drawn from Steinbeck’s East of Eden; the realisation that we, as well as our parents, are not perfect, should provide plenty for audiences to think over.

‘It’s that idea of anyone growing into an adult, and who starts thinking about their parents as adults, but they never have that conversation,’ says Dimitrijevic. ‘Either you are too young or they are too old. It’s about whether you have time to ask all the questions you really want to ask.’