The Mom’s the Word Collective returns with their latest production, Mom’s the Word: Talkin’ Turkey, offering audiences a hilarious and heartwarming glimpse into the chaos of the holidays from a mom's perspective.
Running at the Belfry Theatre from Dec. 3 to 22 (Tuesdays to Sundays), the show promises to deliver a relatable mix of humour and heartfelt truths that are sure to leave audiences laughing – and not just the moms!
- Dates: Dec. 3 - 22
- General age advisory: 16+
- Run time: 2 hours, 15 minutes
- Tickets: tickets.belfry.bc.ca
30 years of laughter and connection
Over three decades ago, Jill Daum, Alison Kelly, Robin Nichol, Barbara Pollard and Deborah Williams took the stage for the first time to share their candid experiences of motherhood. Back then, they were nervous new moms unsure if anyone would care about their stories.
“The ‘big’ moment was 31 years ago, just before our first performance. I felt sick with nerves, thinking, ‘Nobody talks about babies! Nobody cares,'" recalls Barbara Pollard. "But there wasn’t anything on stage about life in the trenches – babies and leaking nipples – so everyone cared! At the end of the show, the audience took us in their arms, and it never stopped.”
What started as an experimental project for the mom's quickly struck a universal chord.
“I’d say the thing that surprised us most with the first performance was how many people cared," adds Robin Nichol. "We expected that only other mothers would be interested, but it turned out to be way more universal than that.
"We were also surprised that we’d written a comedy — we didn’t realize that until we were in front of an audience!”
Now, 31 years later, their scripts have been translated into 10 languages and performed in 19 countries, including London’s West End, Just for Laughs in Montreal and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
"Who would have thought that 31 years later we’d still be getting to share our stories,” Alison Kelly says.
"And that we'd still like each other!" Jill Daum adds with a laugh. For Daum in particular, the process of creating this show has been especially meaningful: "I’d lost the spirit, but writing this show has made me appreciate Christmas again."
Make a day of it!
In the heart of Victoria's Fernwood neighbourhood, The Belfry is surrounded by restaurants and cafes, letting audience members enjoy a full afternoon or evening ahead of the performance. The Belfry Theatre itself offers audiences a cosy and intimate venue with a full concession, including wine and beer as well as a unique tiered 'pay-what-you-can' pricing system, intended to keep the arts accessible for everyone.
"Our 'pay-what-you-can' pricing is exactly what it sounds like, online you'll find various suggested ticket prices but if those prices are still beyond reach for a community member, they can connect with the box office and literally pay only what they can afford," says Belfry Theatre marketing and communications director, Mark Dusseault.
Don’t miss the chance to join the laughter and connection that have defined the Mom’s the Word Collective for over three decades. Book your tickets now for an evening of relatable holiday-themed humour!