Jodie Stubbs in WOMAN: It's a Mother of a Cabaret

A Humorous Exploration about Mothers Trying to have it All

Sydney cabaret performer, Jodie Stubbs, debuts new show, WOMAN at Sydney's LeadBelly this month before taking the show to Melbourne in July. Co-written with award winning director and performer, Tyran Parke, Jodie takes you on a humorous journey of what it is to be a mother, career woman, wife and cabaret chanteuse as she attempts to get through a 60-minute show without having to check on the kids.

"Welcome to my show about what it is the be an oestrogen producing, child bearing, ovulating female of the species. Aren't you glad you came boys?"

Originally intended to explore the changing roles of women through the ages, the show is now interspersed with interruptions from Jodie's home life; an idea that was sparked while creating the show.

On the phone to her babysitter mid-show: "Give Gracie the iPad and break open the emergency Cadbury. Desperate times call for desperate measures and at this point I really don't care."

The show's co-writer, Mr Tyran Parke explains, "Creating this show with Jodie was madness. Sometimes she'd tell her family she was going to the shops but was actually sneaking away to sit in her car to rehearse in peace, singing to me on Skype.

"We kept trying to wrangle a show under these circumstances until I realised this WAS the show! This hilarious struggle of Jodie trying to balance her family life while realising her dream - and the guilt that went with it – there was just so much raw humour and emotion, we knew it would resonate with a lot of people."

Jodie Stubbs, the show's co-creator, performer and mother of two said she's thrilled with how the show evolved.

"I'm so pleased with this show because it touches on something so real; this feeling that many mothers struggle with, of being torn between doing something for themselves – whether that be a passion or career or simply time alone – and being present for their families.

"This show is really about acknowledging those contradicting emotions and having a laugh about it. Because let's face it, we're all in the same boat. We're all just trying to do our best, but I don't think anyone feels like they're getting it quite right."

When the babysitter gives up and brings the kids backstage: "So I'll just slip out the back to see girls, give them a hug … then I can carry on being the multitasking mega-Mum slash cabaret chanteuse."

"Oh god I've got avo on my top.. this show just gets less glamorous as it goes along."

With music drawn from Broadway to Pop to R & B and soul, covering composers from Madonna, Stephen Sondheim and Fleetwood Mac, this funny and uplifting show explores in song and story what it's like to be able to 'have it all' … and the hidden costs.

Jodie will be performing WOMAN in Sydney on Wednesday 20th and Saturday 23rd June, then in Melbourne in July as part of the Melbourne Cabaret Fringe Festival.

Provided she can arrange babysitting, that is.

SHOW DATES
Sydney
Wednesday 20 and Saturday 23 June, 6pm

LeadBelly
Tickets available via Moshtix
Wednesday show
Saturday show

Melbourne
Monday 9 July – Saturday 14 July, 8:30pm
The Butterfly Club
Tickets available via The Butterfly Club