Letters to my dead mother

Theatre Arts

Letters to My Dead Mother is a one woman play written and performed by Brazilian actor Ana Borges. Borges has been performing and writing in London for ten years, in 2018 she faced one of the hardest things a person has to go through, the death of a parent. Borges found solace in her grief by writing a series of letters to her mother after she had passed, these letters slowly turned themselves into a script, acting as pillars of grief, which Borges stitched together with a recount of the aftermath of her mothers death.

Eve was brought on board to create a series of projections that would play behind Borges’s performance. After initially being asked to animated the hand written letters, Borges and Eve realised that there were a number of scenes that could be enhanced with projected visuals, one of which is the ballon animation featured during the end sequence of LTMDM. As Borges blows up a balloon, a synchronised projection matches her actions behind her. This acts as a poignant visual echo of Borges and creates a representation of life in its past and present forms. ‘This imagery, as powerful as it is fleeting, offers a window into the oscillating nature of grief; its ebb & flow, its weight & void.’ Fringebiscuite . All illustrations, animations and footage used in the projection art was shot, produced and edited by Amelia Grace Eve.

‘In a brave display of raw emotions and striking visuals, Ana Borges dismantles the taboos and clichés encircling grief.’ Fringebiscuite ★★★

“Some beautiful direction and artistic flair given to this piece.” ★★★★ ½ London Pub Theatres Magazine

‘Letters To My Dead Mother is, of course, an intense and emotional experience – but it is one I highly recommend. Let’s acknowledge our elephants in the room, and thank Borges for bringing hers around.’ ★★★★ Everything Theatre

At forty-five minutes long, it’s one of those shows that manages to pack more storyline into one act than some shows do in two. This surprisingly refreshing show is worth seeing. ★★★★ London Theatre1

Written and performed Ana borges

DIRECTORs Almero Andrade & Najla andrade

Motion design & stage manager Amelia Grace Eve

Props and costume caio sanfelice

Lighting Design Carlos Pina

Photography héctor machego