Synopsis: Meet Daniel Valentine. He’s a strange boy. It’s Mother’s Day, and he has returned to his family home to celebrate. He’s here to tell you his story. It is a story of a domineering mother, church trips, youth club discos, and a transformative night at the theatre to see a certain Yorkshire songstress that changes everything...

Jesus, Jane, Mother & Me is a twisted coming-of-age story that blends pitch-black humour and heartache. It explores family dynamics, who our idols are, and just how hard life can be when you’re a little bit different.

Cast: 1

Awards:

Winner: Best Solo Performance Theatre Weekly Edinburgh Fringe 2022 Winner: Adelaide Fringe Holden Street Theatre Award 2022
Winner: The Stage - Critic’s Picks of the Best Fringe Shows 2022 Winner: Adelaide Critics Circle Award 2023 - Best Theatre

Selected Press:

‘Gripping and visceral. A thrillingly crafted one-man show utterly deserving of its five stars.’ The Stage

‘This is a beautifully written and exceptionally clever play that leads its audience on an odyssey of discovery; every line serves a very specific purpose and is preparing us for the shocking and devastating climax.’ Theatre Weekly

‘See this show. You’ll have restored faith in the power of live theatre.’ Fringe Review

'The playwright brilliantly and poignantly sustains the young man’s quixotic drive to be himself in an unwelcoming, un-nurturing world. Reminiscent of those dry, deadpan Alan Bennett monologues where nothing is quite what it seems. A spellbinding piece of theatre.’ InDaily

‘Excellent theatre from overseas, a powerful drama to extend our thinking.’ Glam Adelaide

‘It’s a powerful and impactful beautifully written play that manages to find humour in the darkest of subjects.’ Broadway Baby

‘Stokes’ play is brilliantly created, subtly layering the tension and drama whilst still managing to deliver a heart stopping finale which feels both earned and totally shocking.’ North West End UK

‘The script by Philip Stokes takes us to a place I could not have foreseen. In the closing seconds, I was absolutely undone.’ Church Times

‘Jesus, Jane, Mother & Me enters pitch black emotional territory by its macabre final moments where the collective trauma of Daniel’s experiences rears its head in a powerful final note.’ Culture Fix

‘There is joyousness even amidst the most deranged of experiences and circumstances. It is an utterly hypnotising experience. You want to, but cannot deny the darkness of this life revealed. You stay hooked, right to the end.’ The Barefoot Review

‘A hard-hitting piece, and a reminder that life, for many, is no bed of roses. Uncompromising, gritty writing. Go and see this terrific show.’ Adelaide Advertiser

‘Much more than a cry for compassion. It is a warning against prejudice and indifference. It is an advocate for acceptance and love. It offers a meaning that is too important to ignore. It’s powerful work with an outstanding performance, not to be missed.’ Canberra Critics Circle

‘Pretty much perfect. An unforgettable play.’ Three Weeks

‘An engaging, thought-provoking and often very funny piece that never lets its audience off the hook.’ The List