Mary’s Daughters: The Space Theatre

Project Overview:

In 2024, Robert from PRONK! was honoured to create the sound design for Mary’s Daughters at Space Theatre. This three-woman play, written by Kaya Bucholc and Will Wallace, and directed by Kay Brattan, weaves a compelling narrative around the lives of Mary Wollstonecraft, her daughters Fanny Imlay and Mary Shelley. The play explores their profound impact on history, feminism, and literature. To enhance this deeply emotional and historical journey, we crafted a full original composition, incorporating voice samples from the lead characters, processed and manipulated to reflect the various states of storytelling within the play.

Play Description

Mary’s Daughters is a feminist ghost story that reunites Mary Wollstonecraft, her illegitimate daughter Fanny Imlay, and her more famous daughter Mary Shelley centuries after their deaths. The narrative delves into their personal and intellectual struggles, their writings, and their enduring influence. Through a fluid, poetic exploration of their intertwined lives, the play highlights the tireless writings of Wollstonecraft, the emotional scars within the family, and the creation of Frankenstein on the shores of Lake Geneva. This production, supported by public funding through Arts Council England, serves as a powerful call for radical kindness and self-empowerment.

Sound Design and Composition

In collaboration with Director Kay Brattan, we decided that an original composition would effectively convey the shifts between memory vignettes and the more factual, descriptive moments of the play. The sound design relied heavily on samples made from the voices of the three lead characters, which were woven together and manipulated to create an immersive auditory experience. We recorded each actor separately to capture a range of sounds and emotions which we found to be really useful in exploring each character’s full dynamic range.

The composition aimed to:

1. Enhance Emotional Depth: By using the voices of the characters, the sound design provided an intimate connection to their thoughts and feelings.
2. Differentiate Narrative States: Through the use of traditional western harmony (major and minor keys) and dissonance, along with the manipulation of voice samples, we were able to help distinguish between the poetic, reflective moments and the factual, historical recounting.
3. Create an Eerie Atmosphere: The blending of voices and soundscapes evoked the sense of these women transcending time, emphasising their lasting legacy.

Biographies of the Characters:

1. Mary Wollstonecraft:
   • An 18th-century intellectual radical and pioneer of Western feminism.
   • Best known for her book A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, which became an inspiration for the feminist movement.
   • Her life was marked by radical ideas, personal tragedies, and an unyielding fight for women’s rights.
2. Fanny Imlay:
   • The lesser-known illegitimate daughter of Wollstonecraft, born in revolutionary France.
   • Lived a life overshadowed by her mother’s and sister’s fame, yet shared their progressive ideas and struggles.
   • Her personal story is a poignant reminder of the unrecognised contributions of women in history.
3. Mary Shelley:
   • The renowned author of Frankenstein, whose life was filled with dramatic and scandalous events.
   • Her relationship with her mother, Wollstonecraft, and her own literary achievements are central themes in the play.
   • Shelley’s legacy as a writer and feminist is explored through her complex and often tumultuous life.

Critical Reception

The production received positive reviews, particularly praising its informative and moving portrayal of these historical figures. Reviewers appreciated the thoughtful and lively performances of the cast.

Review Excerpt: https://www.britishtheatreguide.info/reviews/mary-s-daughter-the-space-theat-23116

Conclusion

Mary’s Daughters is a profound exploration of the lives and legacies of three remarkable women. Through innovative sound design and original composition, PRONK! contributed to a production that not only educates but also emotionally engages its audience. This play serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for gender equality and the powerful voices that continue to inspire change.

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