Helen Hall

Tales From The Mother

The dancers are in a supportive, weight sharing position. We see the side of Helen’s body as she archers backwards. Linda’s hand is at the back of Helen’s head supporting her in this arched back position. Linda’s stance leans in the direction of Helen, as she takes her weight. Linda looks towards Helen’s head, as of taking care to support her.
The two dancers, Linda and Helen, stand side-by-side, with their arms around each other’s shoulders, and the edges of their heads are leaning towards each other touching. A caring gesture. Long white fabric is wrapped around each of their waists, connecting them together. They hold the ends of the fabric out to the side with their hands . The fabric symbolises the bond they share as mothers, but could also have reference to the bonds with their children. Linda wears blue clothes, while Helen was a cream top and orange trousers.
The dancers are in a weight sharing position. Helen, is in a lunge position on the floor, studying herself with one arm as she leans her body sideways towards it. Linda, who is upright, leans onto the side of Helen’s body, with one leg lifted in the air as her body leans the other way over Helen. They look towards each other. The position, that shoes, support and strength, symbolises the strength and support they find in the shared experiences of motherhood.

Tales from the Mother is a conversation through dance between two women, Helen Hall and Linda Fearon. The pair first met as dancers, but soon discovered their lives intersected in a deeper, more personal way—through motherhood. Over time, they talked, they shared stories, they listened. A quiet understanding grew between them—a witnessing of each other’s joys, struggles, and sorrows.

Composer Isaac Gibson has developed bespoke sound design to accompany the work, inviting audiences into the intimate dialogue between mothers. This dance performance blends contemporary movement with personal narrative. It invites the audience to come close, to listen, to bear witness to these stories and the emotions they carry.
Content warning: Some reference to child loss.

Credits

  • Choreographer: Helen Hall
  • Performers: Helen Hall & Linda Fearon
  • Sound Design: Isaac Gibson
  • Lighting design: Gareth Doran
  • Set Creation: Helen Hall

Commissioned by University of Atypical, with support from Arts Council of Northern Ireland funding. It was premiered at Bounce Festival 2025, Crescent Arts Centre.