THE MOST UNNATURAL THING to Play Marlowe Studio, Canterbury

A PERFORMED reading of a new play about hope and motherhood comes to The Marlowe Studio this month (March).

The Most Unnatural Thing tells of Jackie and Jim, whose son goes missing. Ten years on there is still no sign of Ryan. The papers are full of another child; Jim needs a change and everyone agrees it's time to move on. Everyone except Jackie. This is the story of what happens after the cameras have been turned off.

This is the only reading outside of London of the play, written by Ella Hickson as part of the High Tide Escalator Playwright scheme, a talent development programme. Hickson said: "The Most Unnatural Thing is the story of a woman whose child is missing, the sacrifices she makes in her bid to find him and the ultimate cost of her obsession. The play will explore her relationship with her family, the media and with the community she lives in.

"It aims to shine a light on the expectations placed on women when they are mothers and how they are treated when they don't fulfil their role as expected. The play is set in Dartford; as with all my work to date I am interested in telling stories which represent life of the working classes outside of our major cities."

The Most Unnatural Thing is at the Marlowe Studio at 8pm on Friday 27 March. Tickets are £7 (concessions available; booking fee applies) from the Box Office on 01227 787787 or marlowetheatre.com.