Be My Baby, by Amanda Whittington

Set in a mother and baby convent during the 1960s, Be My Baby explores the attitudes of the time towards four young pregnant girls, and the treatment they receive.

For many of us baby boomers, the 1960’s was a special time: fab music, fab clothes and jobs galore. But if you were pregnant and unmarried it was a different story. Be My Baby was a stark reminder of the stigma, lack of compassion and downright cruelty towards girls in that situation. The audiences’ sympathy was palpable as they hung on every word of the six-strong female cast, directed by Paul Beasley.

Set in a Christian-based home for unmarried mums, the play focused on the dilemmas of four pregnant and petrified women.. My heart broke for posh-girl Mary, played strongly and sensitively by Kate Cary, as she held her daughter, only to have her taken away for adoption. Sophie Marlowe exuded warmth as the rather more worldly Queenie. Ruth Fowler was delightful as the naïve Dolores and Rachael Humphrey as Norma, drew so much sympathy – pregnant and dumped by a married man.

Nicci Harvey impressed as the no-nonsense Matron, occasionally showing that she has a heart, but the system didn’t extend to offering the girls emotional support. Catherine Couchman Reynolds was a wonderful contrast to everyone as Mary’s rather ‘proper’ mother, who couldn’t bear the ‘shame’ of her daughter’s condition. Such was life in the so-called Swinging Sixties.

Particular praise for this powerful production must go to the designers of the ingenious revolving stage and atmospheric sets, completed by a great Sixties soundtrack.

— Edited from Gordon Birch’s review in the Harborough Mail

Mary – Kate Cary
Queenie – Sophie Marlowe
Dolores – Ruth Fowler
Norma – Rachael Humphrey
Mrs Adams – Catherine Couchman Reynolds
Matron – Nicci Harvey

Directed by Paul Beasley

Photography by Andrew Wallace

Presented by arrangement with Nick Hern Books