Partus
by Third Angeltheatre
A funny, warm, touching and poignant show with songs, stories and statistics to make you laugh, cry and celebrate.
about the production
Birth. It’s a massive life or death thing that happens every minute of every day. The expectations, the exhaustion, the euphoria. The shock, the sadness, the stupidly long shifts. The joy. The pain. The mess. Partus shares the stories of real people, looking beyond the stereotypical portrayal of birth we see on the telly. It gives you stories that are about strength and love, resilience and disappointment. It talks about the moment your life changes forever, and what it’s like to be working in the NHS today. There are songs, drama, and like any good meeting, there’s tea and biscuits.
about the artist
Third Angel is a theatre company based in Sheffield, led by Co-artistic Directors Alexander Kelly and Rachael Walton. We are storytellers. We devise, write, design, direct and perform new theatre. We question our relationship with the world around us and encourage our audiences and participants to do the same. We believe that what is of interest to the individual is of interest to those in their society; that the story someone wants to tell is the story that we should hear; that small stories are as worth telling as big stories. Founded in 1995, we tour nationally and internationally.
loading calendars
stage dimensions
width: 9 metres
height: 3 metres
depth: 9 metres
Partus is staged using loose seating (the venue's if possible) in the round, so studio spaces with retractable seating are the most suitable. The minimum stage measurements include space for audience seating, and can be flexible.
We do not tour lamps or sound equipment, so need an equipped space. We need to operate LX and sound from the same position, and a 13amp power supply to the edge of the performance space for a water boiler.
For the premiere in Sheffield, we targeted parents with very young children (particularly for the baby-friendly performances, which sold very well); those providing support, advice and services to them; and midwives and related health professionals. However, our regular audience of theatre-goers, contemporary performance enthusiasts and students still turned out in force and told us that the subject matter hadn't deterred them.
"another typically imaginative production from Sheffield company Third Angel... a funny, thought-provoking and completely unsentimental piece of theatre." "The cast performs the monologues incredibly well..." "On the surface Partus might seem a bit too niche a production, but its appeal is broader than just expectant parents: it's a thoughtful, touching study of one of the most universal of subjects."
"Partus tackles some gritty stuff which goes with the subject matter, and is ably, humorously and passionately presented by an all female cast" "if you are interested in births you should go. There are even performances where mums take their babies along. If only theatre had happened like that in 2006 when I had mine I'd have been at every event like a shot." "I came out feeling it's an important piece. My friend and I decided all teenagers should have to see it as part of the curriculum. And probably all men."
We welcome the opportunity to present BSL and audio-described performances. We tour with the offer of relaxed/baby-friendly performances.
We can offer post-show discussions for no additional charge, and a variety of workshops suitable for y11 and up, and HE students based around devising and our process. Cost varies depending on content, size of group, level and location.
