FALLING

Falling is a new play currently in development by Kate Austen (The Farm, Fay & Vicky) exploring mothers’ mental health both prenatally and postnatally.

From government research in 2019, one in ten women suffered with postnatal depression. Almost half (47.5%) of women with babies aged six months or younger met the threshold for postnatal depression during the first COVID-19 lockdown, more than double the average rates for Europe before the pandemic (23%), finds a new study led by UCL researchers.

Additionally, it is estimated that infertility affects 1 in 7 heterosexual couples in the UK. Since the original NICE guideline on fertility published in 2004, the prevalence of fertility problems has increased, and there are a greater proportion of people now seeking help for such problems.

The play will explore the impact of infertility, ageing, prenatal and postnatal depression on both mothers and fathers, as well as the complexities of friendship and class.