 | | Mum's The Word |
Comical, poignant, blissful and uproarious, this play is a chorus line of confessional anecdotes and vignettes combined to generate the mother of all comedies. The play was originally written in Vancouver in the early nineties by a collection of six women who had once been exciting, glamorous, professional actors and were now exhausted, dishevelled amateur mothers with ten children under six between them. Against the backdrop of a childish drawing of a house, Bernie Nolan, Kim Hartman, Rebecca Wheatley, Michelle Gayle and Daniele Coombe relayed their torment so vividly that I no longer feel justified in complaining about having to shave every morning. As one of the few males in the audience, I felt as though I was eavesdropping on a very private female group therapy session as five cast members swap fascinating tales of all things to do with giving birth and child rearing. What makes this production work so well are the performances from five very single-minded actresses, all of whom are mums themselves. The storylines will obviously appeal to mothers, especially those with young children but the characters are all so dynamic and convincing that there is so much for everyone to enjoy and admire here. Rebecca Wheatley’s expressions, Kim Hartman’s rocking, Michelle Gayle’s delivery, Daniele Coombe’s humour, all held together by the outstanding Bernie Nolan; this show is a gem and a real eye opener for men and mums to be. Mum's The Word is at the Palace Theatre until Sat 19 May | 
