Edinburgh Fringe 2026
Milkdrunk
Cathleen O'Malley
Genre: Comedic, Solo Play, Theatre
Venue: theSpace @Symposium Hall
Festival: Edinburgh Fringe
Low Down
A funny show which isn’t afraid to share the dark-times of first time motherhood and breastfeeding, Milkdrunk is a solo show from US based performer Cathleen O’Malley. Her writing is pin sharp to match her physical performance and comic timing, but she doesn’t pull her punches about some of the genuine terrors of birth.
Review
Cathleen is a first-time mother, a geriatric one according to her gynaecologist, she only wants to be a one-time mother so she wants to get it all right this time around. The baby (as babies are wont to do) upends her best laid plans (Let’s freeze-dry the placenta! Let’s play Scrabble while I’m in labour!). Seemingly sailing through her pregnancy Cathleen is unprepared for the bootcamp of post-natal hormonal swings and lack of sleep. So far so predictable in this play based on her own life but what sets Milkdrunk apart from plays with similar themes is O’Malley’s clever script and engrossing performance. She also explores a new angle – what it is like to be a mammal that is milked, both the pride in producing the stuff and the ways it handcuffs you to your infant.
O’Malley has a strong physical presence on stage and Milkdrunk is well choreographed in a small space. Her one prop, a simple chair, is deftly handled to be a beast of burden, a cot and a maternity ward bed. Without the need of props we ‘see’ all the technicalities of being milked. A simple but effective soundscape sets scenes to settle the audience into the moment. Although this is a play and not stand up O’Malley is very immediate on stage, subtly acknowledging the audience’s laughter, sighs and gasps of recognition. Her ability to poke fun at herself (and perhaps other naive mums-to-be) is very engaging. We feel very safe in her hands even during the tough emotional scenes which are part of her motherhood journey, but be prepared as you might find them difficult.
You don’t need to have experienced pregnancy, motherhood or lactation to find Milkdrunk funny and touching. The writing and performance do the heavy lifting required to create a solid hour’s entertainment at the Fringe. Catch it if you can.
