This November, the Lagos Fringe Festival will host the public exhibition of M/OTHER, a powerful new play that explores the isolation and stigma surrounding maternal mental health. Scheduled for November 21st and 22nd at Freedom Park, Lagos, M/OTHER is the product of a unique collaboration between CNN’s As Equals project, Nigeria’s QDance Company, and Dutch theatre maker Katy Streek. Through this fusion of journalism, theatre, and dance, the Lagos Fringe once again exemplifies its commitment to fostering international partnerships that address critical social issues.
Lagos Fringe curated by Pawstudios Africa, has become a cultural landmark for cross-border collaboration, bringing local and international creatives together in the heart of Nigeria’s arts scene. M/OTHER aligns perfectly with the festival’s ethos, shining a spotlight on maternal mental health— a subject that resonates deeply yet remains under-discussed in many communities. With CNN’s As Equals series providing research and journalistic context, and with Nigerian and Dutch artists collaborating on stage, M/OTHER transcends borders to spark
conversation on a universal yet often stigmatized issue.
At the heart of M/OTHER is the statistic that 1 in 5 women worldwide experiences mental health issues related to childbirth. Despite its prevalence, maternal mental health is often shrouded in silence and misinformation. This lack of visibility can prevent mothers from accessing the support they need. In high-income and low-income countries alike, societal stigma and limited resources can exacerbate this struggle. M/OTHER aims to break this silence, portraying the realities of maternal mental illness through the expressive power of dance and theatre.
CNN’s As Equals series is known for its in-depth reporting on gender inequality and health, tackling difficult topics that are often overlooked or misunderstood. By partnering with Lagos Fringe, As Equals extends its reach beyond traditional media, collaborating with cultural creators to bring vital journalism to life in new and impactful ways. With M/OTHER, the series exemplifies how journalism and the arts can join forces to address critical issues across borders, engaging audiences who may otherwise be unaware of the personal and societal challenges associated with maternal mental health.
As Lagos Fringe continues to foster international artistic exchange, it solidifies its place as a platform where diverse voices and perspectives converge. Productions like M/OTHER underscore the importance of these cross-border collaborations, using art to tackle universal issues and facilitate dialogue on a global scale. By hosting productions that are both socially relevant and artistically compelling, Lagos Fringe helps break down cultural silos, encouraging audiences to connect with issues that impact people around the world.
With additional performances from across the world, Lagos Fringe offers audiences multiple opportunities to witness the power of international collaboration, as journalism, dance, and theatre and more converge to spark awareness.
