Synopsis

Clem’s house in the UK and a fertility clinic in Delhi, India

Clem, a 43-year-old woman, navigates the emotional and ethical complexities of surrogacy in Vivienne Franzmann’s “Bodies.” The play unfolds over nine months, juxtaposing scenes in Clem’s house in the UK with moments in a fertility clinic in Delhi. Clem’s journey is intertwined with her husband Josh, her father David who is battling Motor Neurone Disease, and Lakshmi, the Indian surrogate carrying Clem and Josh’s child. The narrative is further enriched by the presence of Clem’s daughter, depicted at different ages (6, 10, and 16), who serves as a representation of Clem’s hopes, fears, and memories.

The play explores themes of identity, loss, and the ethical implications of surrogacy. It is a drama with elements of social realism and dark comedy, employing a non-linear narrative that shifts between different locations and times, reflecting the fragmented and often challenging nature of Clem’s experiences. The dialogue seamlessly integrates Hindi, adding an authentic layer to the portrayal of cultural intersections. The setting moves from the intimate domestic sphere of Clem’s home to the clinical environment of the fertility clinic, highlighting the contrast between personal and medical worlds.