POWERFUL and moving stories from women across the globe will be told by Bolton actress Marie Blount, who returns to the North West to join the cast of Motherlogues for The Greater Manchester Fringe.

Forked Theatre returns for the fifth edition of their hit show Motherlogues for the festival at The King's Arms Salford this month with Bolton-born Marie has recently been announced as joining the five-strong, all female cast.

Marie started her acting career at Bolton Octagon's Youth Theatre and was encouraged to follow in to the profession.

She moved down south to London to study drama and theatre Studies at Royal Holloway University of London.

From there, she directed, wrote and performed with comedy theatre company, “Peeled Over” which toured the country, including coming back to Bolton and performing a gig at a working man's club

Marie recalled: "Greenhalgh's pasties being served in the interval – who could wish for a better homecoming?2

Marie has gained theatrical acclaim at The National Theatre (Inside Out Festival), Soho Theatre, The Pleasance and Theatre 503 as well as performing at The Vaults Festival, The Edinburgh Fringe Festival and now The Greater Manchester Fringe.

She said: "I am delighted to be returning to the Motherlogues project, having starred in it last year, but, I have to admit, to join Forked Theatre on my home turf and to tell local women's stories is an utter privilege and a career highlight."

Motherlogues is a verbatim style show that gathers stories from women across the globe on the subject of 'motherhood'.

This covers subjects, from personal relationships with mothers, to going into labour, to trying to get pregnant and failing, the argument of childless vs childfree, IVF journeys, an abortion experience, miscarriage, surrogacy, endometriosis, adoption, post natal depression and the symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder.

Forked Theatre are taking the show around the UK, and following a hugely successful show at SheFest 2018 in Sheffield, they are bringing the show to Manchester.

Forked will be venturing into local communities and working with a variety of women from different backgrounds from the area to ensure their stories are heard. Women from BAME backgrounds, the LGBTQ+ community, women who may be ex-offenders or refugees; and it is these tales that the show will be crafted from, giving women from across Greater Manchester the platform they deserve to voice their experiences.

Creative Director of Forked Theatre, Lauren Reed, said: "It is important for us to have a local cast heading up this edition of Motherlogues. The views being shared and showcased are those of the women of Greater Manchester and it is imperative we keep that local voice present by using actors that are born and bred from the area. I am thrilled that Marie can be a part of this edition!"

Alongside her acting career, Marie is a founding member and Creative Director for National children's performing arts company, Little Voices, based in Blackburn.

And, further afield, she is also a trustee for a school in Zambia, Tujatane, where she oversees their nationally acclaimed performing arts department and regularly goes back to Livingston to direct their students in a variety of shows.

Motherlogues will perform at The King's Arms from Thursday, July 26 to Saturday, July 28 at 7:30pm with a matinee on Saturday, July 28 which will be a 'Babes In Arms' performance and welcomes parents with babies.

Tickets range start at £9 and all booking information can be found on the Greater Manchester Fringe website.