Make Me Better Ma @ Backbone

Asian-Australian FLEABAG x I’m Glad My Mom Died.

By Jazz Zhao

MAKE ME BETTER MA is a one-woman autobiographical coming-of-age that encapsulates the struggle of Chinese children growing up with overbearing Tiger Mothers.  Written by a powerful new Asian-Australian voice, MAKE ME BETTER MA is the culmination of 13 years of secret scribbling by Jazz Zhao. “Unapologetically unashamed”, this dark comedy explores typical teenage rebellion of attempting to run away from our identity and being in denial of who we are based on cultural upbringing.

Picture this – amongst trophies and ribbons of youth from piano competitions, stands a young woman in six-inch heels, cash tucked into her G-string. She looks at the audience, jaded. Over her hangs an enormous picture of herself, gilded gold frame, a child of 4 or 5, sweet, innocent, unopinionated– her Ma’s eternal dream.

Our narrative follows the 3 Big Rules Jazz’s Mum told her to never do: 1) Don’t sell your body, 2) Don’t do drugs, 3) Don’t get pregnant. Watch as our protagonist ticks all three.