If kids came with an owners manual, it might read something like the monologues in Mom’s The Word - Remixed.
A hilarious and honest look at motherhood, Remixed weaves together stories of five women from the first puuuuush of childbirth to finally accepting their grown children no longer need them, and the strain those years put on their career, marriage and self identity.
If you’re not already a member of Club Mom, this show gives you a day pass to the world where everything revolves around your children and your partner doesn’t understand what you’re going through. Men are at the butt of many jokes here, but the women balance it out by making fun of themselves just as often.
The script is semi-autobiographical, acted by four of the original writers (Jill Daum, Alison Kelly, Barbara Pollard, Deborah Williams) with Beverley Elliot filling Robin Nichol’s role. Originally written as two plays—Mom’s The Word (1993) and Mom’s The Word 2 - Unhinged (2005)—Remixed premiered in 2007 combining the best of their previous installments. The Mom’s return to the Belfry with some slight revisions to the Remixed script and still as much energy as ever.
You’d never know they’d been listening to each other’s set ups for 18 years. As each woman rotates through the spotlight, the others sit on the set listening and laughing along with the audience. This helps the show feel like an living room conversation among friends, where no topic is off limits.
A masterful multi-storey set by Pam Johnson dwarfs the actors in their domestic duties, laundry to do, a fridge to keep full, and surfaces to clean.
The women really shine in the scenes they perform together, including several musical numbers, one of which is sang from the perspective of a pair of nipples—some of the many breasts you’ll see in the show.
If you’re a mom or the long-suffering husband of one, this show is truly a must see. You can bring your mature teens along, if they're old enough for the sexual content, and give them an idea of what you went through for them.
But even if you don’t have recent experience with child-rearing, these women will make you laugh. The show is fast passed, full of slapstick gags and physical comedy. There’s some serious ground covered, but always in a light hearted way.
Their shows have toured around the world, performed by many actors. Don’t miss this opportunity to see it with much of the original cast. M
By Sam Van Schie
Mom's the Word: Remixed
Aug. 11-13, 16-20 at 8pm, matinees Aug. 13, 14, 17, 20, 21.
Belfry Theatre, 1291 Gladstone Ave.
Tickets are $23 to $38, discounts for students tickets.belfry.bc.ca or 250-385-6815