Every parent knows, despite the many joys, just how difficult the early years of raising children can be; sleepless nights, constant illnesses, temper tantrums and the need for never-ending vigilance take their toll.
The pressures of parenting, in terms of both time and finances, often require parents – especially mothers – to make big sacrifices when it comes to careers and personal pursuits.
Anna-Lee Robertson’s intimate, funny and reflective show, After Birth – a Cabaret, springs from this all-too-common experience.
Originally hailing from Port Fairy in Victoria’s Southwest, Robertson has performed in both the Australian and West End productions of The Phantom of the Opera, studied at Sydney’s Conservatorium of Music and Yale University, and even voiced the Wiggles’ Dorothy the Dinosaur.
But when she and her husband decided a decade ago to move to Geelong and start a family, Robertson put her performing career on hiatus to concentrate on raising her children.
“I shelved my working, performing life and, essentially, my creativity while my babies were young,” Robertson said.
“They’re the best of years, but they’re also the most gruelling years. You hear so many mums talk about that loss of self and having to sideline all the things that you’ve worked toward prior to having babies.
“You’re very happy to do it, but inevitably there is a time when that rears its head and you feel you need to get back to it. So in 2020 I truly felt like I was being tapped on the shoulder – come on, it’s time now. You’ve got no excuse, sit at the piano and start singing again.”
As the pandemic dragged on Robertson continued to work on After Birth, finding that as time went on the show she was writing became more and more celebratory.
“It was a long process, in terms of that it’s naturally evolved; with the limited opportunities in those couple of years to get it out there, my lens on the whole show changed,” she said.
“What I have now is a very reflective, retrospective and very affectionate account of the early years of parenting.”
Joined by well-known pianist Mark Jones, Robertson weaves her story with and through a collection of timeless musical theatre tunes, presenting her experiences in a witty, honest and self-deprecating fashion.
“There is humour, there’s theatricality and great moments vocally, but it’s equally poignant, and there are songs that are very funny and have great comedy in them,” Robertson said.
“My byline for the show is that it’s a panacea for every exhausted and devoted parent. But you don’t have to be a mum to enjoy this; I think there is something in it for everyone.”
Robertson will perform After Birth – a Cabaret at the Potato Shed, Drysdale on Saturday, May 13.
