
Ahead of Hazel's debut play opening at The Bread & Roses Theatre next week we spoke with her about the creation of the show and what to expect.
What inspired you to create this show?
Believe it or not, Blueberries for the Rainbow is my first full length play. I wrote the first scene as part of a short online playwrighting course in 2021 and it just grew from there.
I desperately wanted to write a play that looked at how modern mothers are treated and how their needs are so often neglected, mostly by themselves and the people closest to them. Blueberries does this. It says to the audience: “Look! This is what happens when mothers are constantly put to the bottom of the pile. It is not ok and needs to change.”
Modern motherhood is a minefield of expectation and there is huge pressure to be perfect, often leaving mothers to feel they have failed before they have even really started.
I believe this is why there is still such a cloud of silence surrounding post-natal depression. Many mothers don’t want to admit how they are feeling. There’s this crazy idea that struggling is all part of motherhood and women should just get on with it.
I wanted to write a play that exposed society for its treatment of mothers, raised awareness of postnatal depression and helped mothers who are struggling feel less alone.
Why this story?
The story behind Blueberries came about after I read about The First 1001 Day Movement. Basically, this is a campaign to highlights how important the first 1001 days (from conception to birth) is in a child's life.
While I agree this is an important movement, my initial though was – ‘that’s putting even more pressure on mothers’. And my second as – ‘what about the first 1001 days of being a mother?’ I wanted to write something from the mother's perspective at this time, as she is so often forgotten.
Blueberries starts on the 402nd day in one mothers’ parenting journey, when the continued lack of support results in a catastrophic event. It then goes back and forth over time, to find out what led to this point and how through more support and societal change, it could have been prevented.
What inspired you to create this show?
Believe it or not, Blueberries for the Rainbow is my first full length play. I wrote the first scene as part of a short online playwrighting course in 2021 and it just grew from there.
I desperately wanted to write a play that looked at how modern mothers are treated and how their needs are so often neglected, mostly by themselves and the people closest to them. Blueberries does this. It says to the audience: “Look! This is what happens when mothers are constantly put to the bottom of the pile. It is not ok and needs to change.”
Modern motherhood is a minefield of expectation and there is huge pressure to be perfect, often leaving mothers to feel they have failed before they have even really started.
I believe this is why there is still such a cloud of silence surrounding post-natal depression. Many mothers don’t want to admit how they are feeling. There’s this crazy idea that struggling is all part of motherhood and women should just get on with it.
I wanted to write a play that exposed society for its treatment of mothers, raised awareness of postnatal depression and helped mothers who are struggling feel less alone.
Why this story?
The story behind Blueberries came about after I read about The First 1001 Day Movement. Basically, this is a campaign to highlights how important the first 1001 days (from conception to birth) is in a child's life.
While I agree this is an important movement, my initial though was – ‘that’s putting even more pressure on mothers’. And my second as – ‘what about the first 1001 days of being a mother?’ I wanted to write something from the mother's perspective at this time, as she is so often forgotten.
Blueberries starts on the 402nd day in one mothers’ parenting journey, when the continued lack of support results in a catastrophic event. It then goes back and forth over time, to find out what led to this point and how through more support and societal change, it could have been prevented.

Who are the collaborators on this production?
I’m working with award-winning director Samantha Pears to bring Blueberries to the Bread & Roses.
Sam has worked with the Bread for a number of years and directed the first scene of Blueberries in The Bread’s iconic scratch night, The Platform, in January this year, which is where we met. She asked me afterwards if the scene was part of a full play, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Sam has a fantastic, natural directing style, which is perfect for this show. Her passion for the story is obvious and she has really worked to bring the characters to life.
We also have a fantastic cast, whose experience and talent really does make this play something special.
Who should see this show & why?
This play is for everyone. I think, sometimes, that people assume that a play on motherhood is just for mums. And yes, I would like to see a lot of mums and mums-to-be in the audience. But I think everybody need to know just how hard modern motherhood is and I hope this would open up some people's eyes to what is going on right in front of their faces.
But it's not all serious. There are some really funny and heartfelt moments, that carry a very important message. Audiences should expect to laugh, to cry and to go away really thinking about how mothers are treated in today's society.
What attracted you to stage this production at The Bread & Roses Theatre?
The Bread and Roses is a wonderful theatre. As well as being a champion for new writing, it offers the perfect, intimate setting we wanted for Blueberries.
The play is very personal and powerful, and we wanted the audience to stay close to really experience it. So, The Bread offered the perfect space.
I’m working with award-winning director Samantha Pears to bring Blueberries to the Bread & Roses.
Sam has worked with the Bread for a number of years and directed the first scene of Blueberries in The Bread’s iconic scratch night, The Platform, in January this year, which is where we met. She asked me afterwards if the scene was part of a full play, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Sam has a fantastic, natural directing style, which is perfect for this show. Her passion for the story is obvious and she has really worked to bring the characters to life.
We also have a fantastic cast, whose experience and talent really does make this play something special.
Who should see this show & why?
This play is for everyone. I think, sometimes, that people assume that a play on motherhood is just for mums. And yes, I would like to see a lot of mums and mums-to-be in the audience. But I think everybody need to know just how hard modern motherhood is and I hope this would open up some people's eyes to what is going on right in front of their faces.
But it's not all serious. There are some really funny and heartfelt moments, that carry a very important message. Audiences should expect to laugh, to cry and to go away really thinking about how mothers are treated in today's society.
What attracted you to stage this production at The Bread & Roses Theatre?
The Bread and Roses is a wonderful theatre. As well as being a champion for new writing, it offers the perfect, intimate setting we wanted for Blueberries.
The play is very personal and powerful, and we wanted the audience to stay close to really experience it. So, The Bread offered the perfect space.

What have been the highlights of the process for Blueberries?
Casting has definitly been the highlight so far. Having carried these characters and their stories with me for more than two years, it was really important to get the right cast on board. And we couldn’t have got a more perfect or more talented team than the one we have.
Watching these wonderful actors bring the characters to life, and the passion they have for the story, has been wonderful.
I also really enjoyed the first few days of rehearsals. The way Sam works is very naturalistic, so we spent a lot of time doing improvisation with the characters. This really helped build the background around the piece and it actually felt like I was sitting in a room with the characters I had created.
What's next (for you / the show)?
The next step for the show is get it staged in some reginal theatres across the country. It was never about just reaching the London audiences or the regular theatre goers. We want to reach as many people as possible in as many towns and cities across the UK as possible.
As for me, I am currently working on my second play, which is based on a friendship between two older women under unusual and heartbreaking circumtances. I will continue to champion mothers and women of all ages through my writing, giving them a voice when no one else will.
Catch Blueberries for the Rainbow 28 Nov - 2nd Dec 2023 - https://app.lineupnow.com/event/blueberries-for-the-rainbow
Casting has definitly been the highlight so far. Having carried these characters and their stories with me for more than two years, it was really important to get the right cast on board. And we couldn’t have got a more perfect or more talented team than the one we have.
Watching these wonderful actors bring the characters to life, and the passion they have for the story, has been wonderful.
I also really enjoyed the first few days of rehearsals. The way Sam works is very naturalistic, so we spent a lot of time doing improvisation with the characters. This really helped build the background around the piece and it actually felt like I was sitting in a room with the characters I had created.
What's next (for you / the show)?
The next step for the show is get it staged in some reginal theatres across the country. It was never about just reaching the London audiences or the regular theatre goers. We want to reach as many people as possible in as many towns and cities across the UK as possible.
As for me, I am currently working on my second play, which is based on a friendship between two older women under unusual and heartbreaking circumtances. I will continue to champion mothers and women of all ages through my writing, giving them a voice when no one else will.
Catch Blueberries for the Rainbow 28 Nov - 2nd Dec 2023 - https://app.lineupnow.com/event/blueberries-for-the-rainbow