REVIEW: Quickening by Madeleine Whitmore at The Lion and Unicorn 25 – 29 August 2026

‘At its heights, it’s a new kind of in-yer-face theatre’ ★★★

Unflinching and hard-hitting, Quickening is the tale of three connected abortions over thirty years apart. By Flaming Creature Theatre Company, a new independent band of creatives, the debate around abortion is framed with fictional narratives, historical records and real-life transcripts. This six-member cast weave together a defiant, feminist and radical story of how women can be sidelined in gynaecology departments.

At its heights, it’s a new kind of in-yer-face theatre. Running for an hour, the show investigates the recent medical and cultural history of abortions. The term ‘Quickening’ arose over time to describe when a pregnant woman first feels their baby move inside them. But this show investigates the dangerous implications of this word and how, for some mothers, the “coming into being” of a baby can signal the end of their future.

Stand out performances come from Betty Blythe and Lola Gordine as two young women who become friends whilst having abortions in 1972. Blythe transitions magically from a pregnant teenager into a mother, revisiting the same pressures she faced onto her own daughter who has recently tested positive. Gordine, portraying a woman who is both incredibly avoidant and angry, has a wicked ability to create comedy where many would find none. The script’s dialogue can be just as unforgiving, powerful and tenderly poetic in its humour or anger.

Yet, in moments, you can feel the devising sessions that should have stayed in rehearsal poking through the final product. Projections of statistics, facts and statements that appear across the back wall don’t stay long another to make an impact upon the action in front of them. Occasionally, scenes feel rushed, especially between writer-actor Madeleine Whitmore (the newly pregnant Darla) and Gaby Albertelli (playing Sam).

Ambitiously, Quickening tells a story that many would shy away from putting on altogether. But for me, I would like it to be bolder, more rebellious and disobedient to accepted cultural norms. Show me in blistering detail the events in the history of abortions that many have tried again and again to sweep under the carpet. All being said, I hope this is just the beginning for this new theatre group.

Quickening by Madeleine Whitmore at The Lion and Unicorn 25 – 29 August 2026

Part of Camden Fringe

BOX OFFICE https://camdenfringe.com/events/quickening/

Cast:

Lina - Betty Blythe

Josey - Lola Gordine

Darla - Madeleine Whitmore

Sam - Gaby Albertelli

Golder - Mary Alcott

Welton - Horatio Holloway

Crew:

Writer - Madeleine Whitmore

Director - Sophia Orr

Sound designer - Dilan Kumar

Associate Director - Arianna Muñoz

Costume designer - Helen Lyster