Mama Does Derby

Adelaide Festival

“Anxiety, love and 8 wheels of chaos.”

Mama Does Derby, conceived by Clare Watson and Virginia Gay, is a strikingly vibrant and emotionally rich work from Windmill Production Company. The production masterfully blends the pulsating energy of roller derby with the layered exploration of anxiety, love, and the complexities of shifting family roles. Set right in the heart of a roller derby rink, the audience is swept into the tumultuous relationship between Maxine, a free-spirited and unpredictable mum whose life mirrors the wildness of the sport she adores, and her sixteen-year-old daughter Billie. Billie, thrust into the role of caretaker, faces worries and responsibilities that seem far beyond her years. The show uses the chaos and camaraderie of roller derby as a lens to examine the emotional tug-of-war between mother and daughter, revealing how their relationship bends, balances, and sometimes buckles under the pressures of anxiety and love.

A standout feature is the portrayal of Billie’s anxiety, which is central to the narrative. Billie’s struggle is externalised through a contortionist figure, dark, glittery, dazzling and sporting dramatic horns and elongated fingers. This demon is initially terrifying, serving as a powerful metaphor for the invasive nature of anxiety. As Billie’s journey progresses, she finds a way to coexist with her fears, offering a thoughtful and clear insight into mental health and resilience.

The production’s staging within a roller derby ring at the Entertainment Centre Theatre is innovative, with a dynamic, wheeled set moved by roller derby players. Their athleticism and precision turn scene changes into exhilarating events, further energised by a live band. The roller derby teams themselves quickly become crowd favourites, adding to the show’s infectious spirit.

Balancing weighty themes with warmth, humour and striking visuals, Mama Does Derby is a heartfelt, theatrical reminder that while anxiety may not vanish, it can be understood, managed and lived alongside.

Amanda Bennett

Mama Does Derby continues until 8 March at Adelaide Entertainment Centre Theatre

Tickets available through the link below; 

https://www.adelaidefestival.com.au/whats-on/season-2026/mama-does-derby