mum's the word tour reviews

• Today's news
• Reviews and deals
• Climate change
• 2024 election
• Fall allergies
• Health news
• Mental health
• Sexual health
• Family health
• So mini ways
• Unapologetically
• Buying guides

Entertainment

• How to Watch
• My watchlist
• Stock market
• Biden economy
• Personal finance
• Stocks: most active
• Stocks: gainers
• Stocks: losers
• Trending tickers
• World indices
• US Treasury bonds
• Top mutual funds
• Highest open interest
• Highest implied volatility
• Currency converter
• Basic materials
• Communication services
• Consumer cyclical
• Consumer defensive
• Financial services
• Industrials
• Real estate
• Mutual funds
• Credit cards
• Credit card rates
• Balance transfer credit cards
• Business credit cards
• Cash back credit cards
• Rewards credit cards
• Travel credit cards
• Checking accounts
• Online checking accounts
• High-yield savings accounts
• Money market accounts
• Personal loans
• Student loans
• Car insurance
• Home buying
• Options pit
• Investment ideas
• Research reports
• Fantasy football
• Pro Pick 'Em
• College Pick 'Em
• Fantasy baseball
• Fantasy hockey
• Fantasy basketball
• Download the app
• Daily fantasy
• Scores and schedules
• GameChannel
• World Baseball Classic
• Premier League
• CONCACAF League
• Champions League
• Motorsports
• Horse racing
• Newsletters

New on Yahoo

• Privacy Dashboard

Review: 'Mum's the Word' is a fun musical revue honoring mom at CLOC's Lucas Hall.

WEST FALMOUTH ―"Mum's the Word: A Musical Celebration of Mothers" is a delightful 95 minutes for fans of musical theater and their moms.

Produced by Art Lab Productions and College Light Opera Company , the play runs this weekend only, with performances at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 13, and 2 p.m. Sunday at Lucas Hall on CLOC's main campus at 54 Waquoit Road in West Falmouth. (If you forgot to get Mom a gift, this is a chance to redeem yourself!)

The 21 songs in this revue, beginning with "When You're Good to Mama" and finishing with "Mama Said," are woven together with clever patter from one or more of the four performers. Each song becomes a vignette, told with its own lighting and props from three treasure chests by the front of the stage.

Kudos to director and set designer Meg Fofonoff, as well as stage manager Olivia Cortese and lighting designer Sinead Fitzpatrick, for keeping the quick-moving production on track.

The show and what it's about: "Mum's the Word!" ― a review of songs about Mom.

Highlights: Bridget Beirne, Megan Chacalos, Nick Cearley and James Mills bring strong voices to songs musical fans will recognize or have fun trying to remember from whence they hail. ("What musical is that from?") The short segue into each song makes the whole thing feel pulled together and the performers look as if they are having fun, which makes them fun to watch.

Worth noting: Kudos to music director Logan Medland who provides accompaniment and sound designer Clyde Tyndale for levels that keep the keyboard from drowning out lyrics in general. That said, there was a glitch with several of the face microphones opening night which meant the audience lost a stanza or two here and there.

Highlights: Truly an ensemble show but I especially liked vignettes that paired Beirne and Chacalos ("Mother Knows Best" as Rapunzel and her mom) and Cearley and Mills ("Mommas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys.")

See it or not? Definitely. It is a quick-paced collection of classics that will have you bopping along in your seat.

Tickets: $35, collegelightoperacompany.com

individual vignettes with props and lighting to

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Review: CLOC and Art Lab put on fast-paced fun with 'Mum's the Word'

Recommended Stories

Rashee rice apologizes for 'my part' in crash while injured couple reportedly lawyer up.

Rice reportedly owned the Corvette and leased the Lamborghini involved in the crash.

What the total solar eclipse could mean for your zodiac sign: An astrologer breaks it down

An astrologist weighs in on the 2024 solar eclipse.

Trump Media stock tanks as new filing reveals heavy losses, 'greater risks' on Trump's involvement

After a strong debut last week, shares of Donald Trump's media company were under pressure Monday after meager sales and deep losses were revealed in a new filing with the SEC.

Vontae Davis, former NFL star, found dead in Miami home at age 35

Davis published a children's book about his life in 2019

Mock Draft Monday with Field Yates: You will be shocked how early Bo Nix goes

'Mock Draft Monday' rolls on ESPN's Field Yates joining Matt Harmon to break down his latest mock draft. Harmon has Yates break down his mock draft methodology and what goes into his decision making when placing certain prospects on certain teams.

USWNT captain Lindsey Horan and Alex Morgan issue statement after Korbin Albert apologizes for anti-LGBTQ content

Morgan alluded to some "hard conversations" with Albert over the past week.

Beyoncé's 'Texas Hold 'Em' took over the country charts. Here's what happens when it comes on in country bars.

It was initially unclear if the song would be accepted as a true “country” tune.

Duke's Cooper Flagg, Rutgers' Ace Bailey lead 8 players who impressed during McDonald's All American practices

Ahead of Tuesday night's McDonald's All American Game, Yahoo Sports breaks down eight players who have already made lasting impressions on NBA scouts.

Dallas mayor hints at bringing Chiefs to Cowboys territory after stadium vote fails

This obviously isn't happening.

LSU's Angel Reese opens up about dealing with hateful speech, death threats: 'I've been through so much'

The LSU star said she's dealt with a lot ever since her star run in last year's national championship.

In new surroundings and a very different role, LSU's Hailey Van Lith has gone through a mental evolution

Van Lith is a different player in a different place than a year ago, and now she's in position to win a championship after watching LSU cut down the nets last season.

Brock Purdy nearly doubles his salary due to a bonus from NFL's performance-based pay

Brock Purdy and other young NFL players had a nice payday.

Shohei Ohtani hits 1st Dodgers HR after (relatively) slow start

Ohtani hit a homer off a lefty-killer who hadn't allowed a long ball to a lefty in three seasons.

MLB Power Rankings: Dodgers and Braves looking as dominant as expected so far this season

The Orioles, Yankees and Rangers round out the top five of our inaugural 2024 power rankings.

Giants fans not happy after team removes tiles dedicated to family members outside Oracle Park

"It made me feel like they desecrated my mom’s and dad’s headstone on their grave."

2025 Ram 1500's 'Hurricane' I6 tops V8 in fuel economy

2025 Ram 1500 full-size pickup truck now has fuel economy numbers, and the Hurricane inline-six delivers better numbers than the V8 it replaces.

Rangers presented World Series rings, which feature game-used baseball leather

Teams are always trying to come up with something new for their World Series rings.

Biggest 2024 NFL Draft need for every NFC team with Nate Tice | The Exempt List

Charles McDonald is joined by the great Nate Tice to determine the biggest need in the 2024 NFL Draft for every single NFC team. But first – Rashee Rice was reportedly involved in a racing-related crash over the weekend, prompting a discussion on players getting involved in things they shouldn't and why nearly everyone around Patrick Mahomes seems to be trying to make his life harder. In other news, NFL win totals for the 2024 season dropped last week, and Charles and Nate pick out a few that surprised them, including the Los Angeles Chargers, Atlanta Falcons, New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys. Later, Charles and Nate dive into draft needs for every NFC team, as they go back and forth and give some favorite prospect and position fits for teams like the New York Giants (should they take a quarterback?), Green Bay Packers, Atlanta Falcons, Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals and more.

NFL mock draft: Trades galore as one of the best QB prospects slides outside the top 10

Charles McDonald and Nate Tice's latest mock draft has five quarterbacks off the board in the top 13, a big-time weapon for Aaron Rodgers and some steals in the second half of the first round.

2024 Chevy Silverado EV RST gets more range — 440 miles — and lower price

GM just revealed some range and pricing details on the production 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV.

Theatre Review: Mum’s the Word

Culture Writer Rachel Shaper reviews Mum’s the Word, praising the comedic but emotional sketches about the realities of motherhood

Trigger warnings for this review include: premature birth, cancer, grief

Mum’s the Word (directed by Ian Good and written by Linda A. Carson, Jill Daum, Alison Kelly, Robin Nichol, Barbara Pollard, and Deborah Williams) is a comedic collection of sketches following three mothers from pregnancy through to their children becoming young adults. The leading ladies – Barbara (Sarita Ploughman), Robin (Poppy Tierney), and Alison (Laurie Brett) – artfully portray the ups and downs of motherhood, capturing the emotion whilst still keeping the mood ever light and hopeful. Mum’s the Word , which is currently touring the UK , is able to shed light on those who are arguably the most overlooked and taken for granted in society, without being preachy or patronising.

Mum’s the Word draws attention to the struggles within marriages that can occur once children arrive, with the character Robin considering infidelity at one point before choosing to be honest with her husband and to resolve their issues. The topic of sex after childbirth is also addressed, with the husband being personified as a huge penis puppet who screams about how horny he is and chases his wife around the stage, which got the biggest laugh of the evening. The very real issue of most husbands taking a backseat, secondary role in childcare is comedically portrayed through Robins’ letter to her partner in which she pleads for communication and help with childcare and mockingly praises when he pulls his weight such as packing the nappy bag.

Mum’s the Word …is able to shed light on those who are arguably the most overlooked and taken for granted in society, without being preachy or patronising

The show addresses the real, painful issues that come with parenthood, such as when Alison gives birth to her son prematurely and spends 3 months with him in hospital. Brett delivers a raw performance and manages to captivate the intense emotion and grief that having a sick child can bring, which came somewhat as a surprise in the middle of a sketch show, albeit a pleasant one. Additionally, Barbara develops breast cancer when her children are young and worries about how they will cope without her, showing the automatic selflessness mothers must display.

The second half of Mum’s the Word seems to appeal more to a wider audience, as the characters describe their children’s ascent into adolescence and the struggles they all face from this. Alison describing her daughters first period and buying her first bra (a padded and rhinestoned one from Victoria Secret) provokes laughs from parents (for whom this experience may be a more recent memory than childbirth) and from the younger members of the audience who have firsthand experiences.

Brett delivers a raw performance and manages to captivate the intense emotion and grief that having a sick child can bring

Mum’s the Word utilises simple staging and props, using large children’s play blocks with images of references to the show, and the actors bring props on and offstage accordingly. This keeps the stage open and thus all eyes are on the actors – not that this is necessarily needed, as their performances are captivating enough. It is refreshing to see such a captive performance from a small, entirely female cast, and to enjoy it with a female-dominated audience; however, it would have been nice to see some more male attendees, as the very few that were in attendance seemed significantly less enthusiastic than their female companions. Additionally, the show is admittedly heavily focused on the white, heterosexual, middle-class experience of parenthood, which came through very strongly when the characters were drinking wine and discussing their hectic car rides to school.

Overall, although Mum’s the Word will perhaps struggle to draw in those outside of its demographic, it is very funny and engaging to its target audience.

Rating: 3.5/5

Enjoyed this? Read more from Redbrick Culture here:

Book Review: The Chapter by Nicholas Dames

Theatre Review: Peter Pan Goes Wrong

Poetry Corner: Mrs Braverman, You Are Not the Right Honourable

Mum's the Word

Written by Linda A. Carson, Jill Daum, Alison Kelly, Robin Nichol, Barbara Pollard & Deborah Williams A Robert C. Kelly Limited Production Darlington Civic Theatre and touring (2010)

Essentially, Mum’s The Word is really rather similar to The Vagina Monologues but instead of three women perched on stools talking about , erm – well, you know, vaginas – you get five seated women talking, at great length, about motherhood and sprogs.

Gillian Taylforth leads the cast, stepping in as a last minute replacement for Bernie Nolan who had to withdraw from the tour due to illness, and she does an admirable job. Her warm, gravelly voice is well-suited to the role of straight-talking mum, Robin. She is joined on stage by two other former soap actresses, Tracy Shaw ( Coronation Street ’s Maxine Peacock) as Jill and Sally Ann Matthews ( Coronation Street ’s Jenny Bradley) as Alison. Mandy Holliday and Susie Fenwick complete the line-up, although on press evening at Darlington Miss Fenwick was indisposed and understudy Kaye Quinley performed the role of Deborah.

Initially, I have to say, the production left me feeling rather underwhelmed and rather bored. And before anybody jumps to the conclusion that, because I’m a guy, I wouldn’t ‘get’ the show, let me set the record straight. During my time as a reviewer, I have seen productions including The Vagina Monologues , Menopause: The Musical , Hot Flush! and Women on the Verge of HRT and ‘got’ at least three of them totally.

However, I have to say that my personal tolerance of endless monologues on dirty nappies, snot, urine, faeces and vomit isn’t particularly high. Sure, I guess if you’ve experienced motherhood, you’ve experienced your fair share of all the aforementioned, but what about those in the audience who have not? The main difference between Mum’s The Word and the other female-orientated productions is that it excludes those who are not mothers, whereas the others don’t.

The first act was a rather lacklustre affair for me, although I don’t attribute the blame for this to the actresses nor the director, Andrew Lynford. In my opinion, the script is to blame and I suspect that having been written by six women, it has suffered from too many cooks spoiling the broth.

The second act was considerably better, though, and there were some genuinely funny moments, particularly during parodies of The Weakest Link , during which Kaye Quinley gives an eerily accurate impersonation of Anne Robinson, and Puppetry of the Penis , in which Mandy Holliday interacts with a pink sock penis puppet.

Although Mum’s The Word is by no means a slick, stylish and successful comedy in my opinion, I must point out – in the interests of fairness and balance – that it has attracted some great actresses in its eight-year history, including Blythe Duff ( Taggart ), Jenny Eclair ( Grumpy Old Women ), Patsy Palmer ( EastEnders ), Kim Hartman ( 'Allo, 'Allo ) and Maureen Nolan ( Blood Brothers ), and that the largely-female audience seemed to enjoy the show immensely and cackled in delight and recognition.

Runs at Darligton until Saturday 19th June 2010, before touring to Windsor, Worthing, Birmingham, Grimsby, Sunderland, Manchester, Derby, Woking, Surrey and Cheltenham

Reviewer: Steve Burbridge

* Some links, including Amazon, Stageplays.com, Bookshop.org, ATG Tickets, LOVEtheatre, BTG Tickets, Ticketmaster, The Ticket Factory, LW Theatres and QuayTickets, are affiliate links for which BTG may earn a small fee at no extra cost to the purchaser.

Are you sure?

2002 Scottish Tour

2 0 0 2   S C O T T I S H  T O U R 

The Spring 2002 tour starred  Blythe Duff ,  Lorraine M McIntosh ,  Libby McArthur ,  Barbara Pollard ,  Sharon McKenzie  and  Carole Anders .

T H E   B I R T H

It was the Spring of 1993 in Vancouver, Canada. Six women who had once been exciting, glamorous and professional actors were now exhausted, bedraggled amateur mothers with ten children under six between them. They decided to get together to write a show about motherhood.

They met regularly on Saturday mornings with their children. They talked, they laughed, they whined, they complained and they laughed some more. Suddenly their first performance was just three weeks away. Although they had nothing on paper, they felt enormously better about their children, their skills as mothers and their lives in general. They had reinvented group therapy. Luckily, in the ancient tradition of oral history, they remembered each other’s stories and Mum’s the Word was born.

Many years and more than ten thousand performances later, Mum’s the Word has crossed the international dateline and the equator.

R E V I E W S

“Very, very good, very funny.”

Billy Connolly

“roars of delighted recognition”

The London Times

“a hugely entertaining phenomenon”

The Daily Mail

“Wickedly funny account of motherhood that nobody should miss.”

“hilarious”

The List Magazine

“Mum’s The Word is a no-holds barred laugh-a-minute outpouring of all it is to be a mother.”

The Evening Chronicle, Newcastle

“It made you laugh, it made you cry. It was a beautifully crafted comedy that made you proud to be a mum,”

The Kent Messenger

“Mum’s The Word is a beautifully crafted show, full of the warm, tragic-comic rhythm of life; and absolutely impossible to dislike.”

The Scotsman

What the international critics said:

“hysterical, possibly shocking, definitely moving”

Chicago Footlights, USA

“absolutely hilarious; a must-see for everyone”

Kane County Chronicle, Chicago, USA

“an insightful joy”

Addison Press, Chicago, USA

“Mums bundles up huge laughs… a comedic triumph”

Victoria News, Canada

“Get ready for the screams, laughter, tears and gasps of recognition”

Vancouver Sun, Canada

“funny and brilliantly executed…a theatrical first”

“The mother of all shows! is a great night out – away from the kids”

The Herald Sun, Australia

“…your face will hurt from laughing at the brutal reality of ”

Sunday Herald Sun, Australia

What the critics said about the 2002 Scottish tour:

“roars of delighted recognition”

“a hilarious coup de theatre that you have to see for yourself”

“A blisteringly funny and perceptive piece of theatre”

“ is a beautifully crafted show, full of the warm, tragi-comic rhythm of life; and absolutely impossible to dislike.”

“moves along at a cracking pace”

“as sharp and hilariously funny as you are ever likely to get”

Perthshire Advertiser

“hilarious”

What the critics said about the 2002 English tour:

“It’s a show that should be sponsored by the NHS.”

The Mail on Sunday

“…wickedly funny account of motherhood that nobody should miss”

“It made you laugh, it made you cry. It was a beautifully crafted comedy that made you proud to be a mum.”

“mercilessly funny, with line after line of poignant humour and full on belly laughs”

The Sentinel, Stoke-on-Trent

“great comedy with the six actresses going all out for – and collecting – big laughs”

The Daily Post, Liverpool

“the audience howled with delight and nodded their understanding”

The Walsall Observer

“mixing hilarious comedy with emotive, moving drama”

Sutton Coldfield News

What the critics said about the 2003 Scottish tour:

“a hugely entertaining phenomenon”

The Scottish Daily Mail

“ is a no-holds-barred laugh-a-minute outpouring of all it is to be a mother”

“It’s back – this side-splittingly funny collection of stories about motherhood”

The Evening Times, Glasgow

“providing one of the funniest and most enjoyable girls’ nights out currently on offer in Britain”

“a comedy that at least 50% of the population will see as a small miracle”

The Northern Echo

“many of the speeches and one-liners are hilarious”

The Inverness Courier

“this whole show was a delight of humour and pathos”

The Nairnshire Telegraph

“great shared moment of recognition when the audience suddenly erupts with laughter”

The Highland News

P A S T   S H O W S

MUMS THE WORD 2002 SCOTTISH TOUR

MUMS THE WORD SCOTLAND 2003

MUMS THE WORD 2002

MUMS THE WORD 2003

MUMS THE WORD 2004

MUMS THE WORD 2007

MUMS THE WORD 2008

MUMS THE WORD 2009

Mums the word 2010, t o u r  d a t e s, mums the word 2002 scottish tour.

Dundee Rep Theatre Wednesday 30 January to Saturday 9 February 2002

Gaiety Theatre, Ayr Monday 11 February to Saturday 16 February 2002

Whitehall Theatre, Dundee Wednesday 20 February and Saturday 23 February 2002

King’s Theatre, Glasgow Tuesday 26 February to Saturday 23 March 2002

• Advanced Search
• Most Popular
• Enhanced Performances
• Largest tours
• Theatre Vouchers
• Panto/Christmas Shows
• UKTW News/Reviews
• Newsletters
• Latest Information
• About/Contact
• Sell your tickets
• Embed Listings

Cast/Performers

Mum's the word, archive listings.