STAGE REVIEW: Mother Courage and Her Children @ Horden Methodist Church (16.05.25)

Image: Ayanda Tikolo, Paulina Malefane, Joe Hammal and Stephen Lister by Keith Pattison

The use of Horden’s Methodist Church as the place to host the international premiere of Ensemble ’84’s debut production, Mother Courage and Her Children, seems a fitting location for a play centred around the interplays, and consequences, of commerce, religion and politics. It also seems fully aligned to the Ensemble’s core goals of creating world-class dramatic productions in accessible locations.

Tied with South Africa’s Isango Ensemble, tonight’s show is a worthy result of the considerable, and combined, effort that has played a part in creating a production born out of national, regional and international ties, and combining amateur and professional skills. It really is remarkable what has been achieved in such a short amount of time.

Reimagined by playwright Lee Hall, Mother Courage and Her Children is a deeply emotional, often celebratory, sometimes heartbreaking, tale of the impact of war and the places it pushes the human spirt into. Lovingly set with the warmest of African steel/wooden bands, the cast, writing and ensemble all play a vital role in the support of the Mother character, tonight played by Paulina Malefane, whose personal struggle, humour and determination take the story through moments of humour, shock and wonder as she strives to survive, and thrive, through decades of struggle. Malefane glows in a role filled with strong character plotlines, with her astounding voice intensifying and clarifying the emotional ranges of the show. Malefane’s performance is at a West End, best-of-the-best, level; she’s incredible tonight.

If Mother Courage is a signal of the place-based, creative ideation and performances to come in County Durham then we’re in for some ride.

Mother Courage and Her Children is performed at Horden Methodist Church until Saturday 24^th May.