No Bond So Strong


No Bond So Strong is a life-affirming show about motherhood and holding family together when you find yourself unravelling, written by Olivia Winteringham, commissioned by BEDLAM Arts & Mental Health Festival and supported by The John Feeney Trust and The Saintbury Trust.

A mother, a relative, a doctor; three voices come together to paint an intimate portrait of the hopeful experiences and the hopeless feelings of being a new parent. No Bond So Strong is a film about revelling in the joys of parenthood but at the same time summoning every bit of energy not to fall apart for fear of losing it all. It’s about taking baby steps, as your baby sleeps, to open up and talk about the highs and lows of parenthood when all you want to do is lock the door, draw the curtains and never get out of bed again. This is one family’s story of post natal psychosis.

After a successful tour in Autumn 2019, No Bond So Strong toured again in the Summer of 2022 as a free digital film screening alongside a post-show discussion with the actors and representatives from Acacia Family Support and Birmingham Mind. It visited a number of community venues including Sparkhill Library, Highfield Hall and Midlands Arts Centre.

If you are interested in booking No Bond So Strong, please email Sabra Khan on sabra@sampad.org.uk, or call 0121 446 3260. The film has a running time of 40 minutes with a 30 minute post-show discussion and audience Q&A.

Watch the YouTube trailer


Audience Comments

“Just saw No Bond So Strong. Brilliantly written, brilliantly produced and brilliantly acted. Would highly recommend”

“What a powerful and creative play, sensitively addressing stigma, stereotype and lack of awareness of postnatal depression and other mental health issues relating to women from South Asian communities.”

“An outstanding play that’s truly powerful & poignant”

“A beautifully honest and much needed exploration of perinatal mental health”

Special thanks to all the brilliant women, families and medical staff who contributed their experiences to the creation of this play, Acacia Family Support, Birmingham & Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust and the Birmingham Perinatal East Team.