Holy Mothers - Paperback

by Werner Schwab (Author), Meredith Oakes (Translator)

The holy mothers are three ordinary women. Their lives are grotesque and their fantasies are lurid. In a world full of problems, what can anyone do but have a bit of fun?

Erna, Grete and Mariedl watch the pope on TC then settle down to discussing Erna's dreadful son, Grete's dreadful daughter and Mariedl's unusual vocation. Why does Herrmann refuse to have intercourse? Why did Hannelore get herself gutted like a chicken and emigrate to Australia? And why doesn't Mariedl wear rubber gloves? The three women start dreaming of what life could be. If only one person's dream didn't have a way of turning into another person's nightmare.

This horrifically funny masterpiece, with the German title Die Prösidentinnen, signalled the meteoric rise to fame of the young Austrian, Werner Schwab (1958-1993).

Cast sizes: 3+

Author Biography

Meredith Oakes' first play, The Neighbour, was produced at the Royal National Theatre, London in 1992, and is published by Oberon Books. The Editing Process was first produced by the English Stage Company at the Royal Court Theatre, London, in 1994. Her translation include The New Menoza by Lenz, Horvath's Italian Night, and Bernhard's Elizabeth II. Opera Libretti include The Triumph of Beauty and Deceit and Solid Assets.