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Cracking

A new play by Alright Mate? co-founder Cally Hayes about love, loss and parenthood. Cracking takes an intimate look from a father’s perspective about what happens when you survive the worst but now risk losing everything.

Three days into motherhood, Rachel didn’t recognise herself. There was nothing Sam wouldn’t do to keep his family together. Practical and hands on, he stuck with it, held his tongue and eventually Rachel got better. So why are they now sitting on a therapist’s couch tumbling back into the past and Sam in real danger of losing his footing? Inspired by interviews with couples who’ve recovered from postnatal illness, Cracking combines refreshingly honest new writing with testimony and vibrant physicality.

"Deceptively simple, meticulously researched and beautifully crafted." Daniel Buckroyd, Artistic Director, Exeter Northcott Theatre

"Raw, pressurised, exposed and exposing, Cracking grabs you from the inside out." The PRSD

Supported by Arts Council England, National Lottery Community Fund, Exeter City Council, Bluebell Care, Dad Pad and Devon County Council.

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REVIEWS

'Excellent moved me to tears'

'Extraordinarily powerful acting'

'It was powerful & moving & every young man should see this'

'It’s an amazing thing you are doing getting men to talk'

'After watching this tonight it has opened my eyes to the reality of modern day life and relationships and how we can all maybe open up and talk more'

'An expertly performed frank, raw and honest portrayal of two young people struggling to cope with post natal trauma that left them feeling desperate and alone and left me with a visceral sense of disquietude about how little we really talk about about the male mental health challenges of early parenthood'


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