Derbyshire theatre company founder stars with husband in autobiographical play Motherhood

A Derbyshire based actress is starring alongside her husband in an autobiographical play which she has written.

Elli Mackenzie, creative producer of Oddsocks Productions, is bringing her work Motherhood to stages around Derbyshire this autumn. She said: ”Motherhood looks at the highs and lows, the frustrations, the joy, the bizarre and downright unbelievable aspects of raising children whilst running a family business. It is raw and emotional in parts but full of the Oddsocks humour that our audiences love too.”

“When we premiered the piece at Jersey Arts Centre in January, we were delighted and surprised to be met after the show in the bar by many audience members who wanted to stay and chat about what they had seen and share their experiences of motherhood, so we hope that the same will happen as we tour the UK.”

The tour launches at Oddsocks Productions base - Lea Chapel - in early November where two performances have already sold out. Motherhood will be hosted at the Glebe Community Centre in Crich on November 11 and at Derby’s Chapel Street Arts Centre on November 14. The play will tour to venues across the UK including Herefordshire, Shropshire, North Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and Oxfordshire,

Elli admits that she didn’t intend Motherhood to be autobiographical when she first sat down to write it. “I wrote it in the autumn and winter of 2025 and shared each draft with my children and husband. All three work in the arts, my husband is an actor, my daughter an arts practitioner, my son a singer and musician and their feedback steered me towards writing from my own experience.”

Her husband Andy Barrow is artistic director of Oddsocks Productions. Andy said: “We are always learning; from our audiences and their reactions to our work, and from our casts of actors who seem to get younger each year.

“So taking on the challenge of change and saying ‘yes’ to new projects is all part of the process and ensures our future....as long as people like what we are doing of course.”

Motherhood runs for 75 minutes and has no interval. To book tickets, go to https://www.oddsocks.co.uk/box-office