Mum's The Word - Darlington Civic Theatre, Teesdale Mercury

Mum's The Word - Darlington Civic Theatre

Jun 23, 2010

BACK in 1993 6 acting mothers got together and wrote a show about motherhood, I wish they hadn't bothered, but that is because I am not a mother, and I therefore found it very hard to relate to this show and have to admit I did find myself incredibly bored at times. The show though does come with great credentials it has played 9 UK tours, including a run in the West End and has played to many sell out audiences.

The five actresses, Gillian Taylforth, Tracy Shaw, Sally Ann Mathews, Mandy Holliday and Kaye Quinley, take it in turn to deliver a number of monologues featuring the emotional rollercoaster of motherhood. I did find the performances some of the best I have seen, especially Gillian Taylforth, who had taken on the role at the last minute due to Bernie Nolan dropping out from ill health. Gillian Taylforth's reactions to the other monologues really made you believe she was hearing them for the first time giving freshness to the performance.

I am losing count of the many shows on tour recently aimed at women, and I have seen most of them, many of which I have really enjoyed. This show is most definitely aimed at parents, more specifically mothers. The women in the audience were certainly enjoying themselves. A must see show for all Mums.

Mum's The Word can be seen at The Sunderland Empire from 5^th July.

A J Harrison