There can be something magical about theatre – the way it brings people together, sparking laughter and tears, and even melting the hearts of the crustiest Christmas curmudgeons.
Combine that with the creative brilliance of Jill Daum, Alison Kelly, Robin Nichol, Barbara Pollard, and Deborah Williams, and you get Mom’s The Word: Talkin’ Turkey – a recipe for a hilarious and heartfelt show that tackles the chaos of Christmas with a healthy dollop of wit, a generous basting of raw honesty, a dash of raunchiness, and a whole mixture of unapologetic humour.
Drawing from their own holiday experiences, the cast explores everything from festive joy to familial frustration. Whether it’s the magic of the season or the madness of it all, they cover it with laughter and relatability. Alison Kelly, a self-proclaimed Christmas curmudgeon, shares her struggles with yuletide perfectionism, while other cast members bring their own distinct takes to the holiday.
“It’s not anti-Christmas at all,” Kelly says of Talkin' Turkey. “But Christmas doesn’t have to be what you see in the magazines or what you think you should do. It can be what you want it to be – and that’s okay.”
The Mom’s The Word collective began 30 years ago when six new mothers, navigating the chaos and wonder of early parenthood, came together every Saturday morning to write a show about their lives. The result was an honest, hilarious, and poignant look at motherhood that resonated deeply with audiences. Their first show became a sensation, playing to over two million people worldwide, translated into 10 languages, and performed in countries as far-flung as Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
As the Moms’ lives evolved, so did their shows. They tackled the teenage years in Mom’s The Word: Unhinged and the complexities of empty nesting in Mom’s The Word: Nest Half Empty. Now, with Talkin’ Turkey, they turn their attention to gently roasting the holiday season.
“Christmas is such a loaded time of year,” Kelly says. “It’s filled with expectations – some we place on ourselves, others that society piles on. We wanted to explore that, but with our trademark humor and heart.”
Running at the Belfry Theatre from Dec. 3 to 22, Mom’s The Word: Talkin’ Turkey offers a night of laughter, tears, and the kind of honesty that reminds us all that we're not alone in our imperfect holiday celebrations.
But don’t let your holiday spirit turn Grinch-like by waiting too long – this show has a history of selling out faster than eggnog.
