REVIEW | The Good Enough Mums Club

Reviews

28 Oct

Written by Roni

*Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in return for an honest review

There are an estimated 2 billion mothers in the world (around a quarter of the population!), not including other parents or guardians. So why is motherhood considered one of the loneliest and most isolating times women go through? The Good Enough Mums Club is a movement of mothers striving to deliver an important message: that your best is very much good enough. With a cast and core creative team made up entirely of mums, the show has had various iterations and is now embarking on a UK tour, aiming to connect with those experiencing motherhood in all its screaming, snotty glory…

The show centres around a group of five mums who have connected through a local playgroup they run and attend with their litter of offspring in tow. Despite their differences in background and lifestyle, these women come together every week to rant, lament and revel in the ups and downs of motherhood. However, under the surface each is dealing with a darker side to life they’re more reluctant to share. When their newest member has a mental health breakdown, and local council cuts threaten to close their club, each mum’s deepest fears begin to spill over. Will the subsequent result be the making or breaking of this close-knit group?

Amy Ross, Jade Samuels & Rebecca Bernice Amissah in The Good Enough Mums Club_Pamela Raith Photography.jpg

Amy Ross in The Good Enough Mums Club_Pamela Raith Photography.jpg

The concept and design of this new musical are refreshingly simple, allowing the ground-breaking content to speak for itself. Created and written by Emily Beecher after she was diagnosed with postpartum depression and psychosis following the birth of her daughter, it seems inevitable for the script to be incredibly raw and powerful. The show is not shy (or prudish), diving headfirst into everything from child loss to saggy boobs with unabashed ferocity. The music and lyrics by Verity Quade are similarly bold, with each woman getting their moment of breakthrough reality. It goes without saying that there is an unwavering power in shows like this, and the vulnerability and visibility displayed cannot be underestimated. For anyone in the trenches of motherhood, solidarity is key to getting through the sleepless nights with a screaming baby that seems to stretch forever, and it is incredible to see real honesty represented on stage.

There’s an exquisite cast at the helm here, comprised of Joanna Kirkland as snobbish group leader Bea, Rebecca Bernice Amissah as twin mum Michelle, Amy Ross as hilariously crude Sophie, Jade Samuels as down to earth Chantelle, and Belinda Wollaston as new group member Esme. Each shines in their own moment, and there are some stunning vocals displayed alongside heartbreak and hilarity. There’s a palpable sense of comradery and love between the women, both in character and cast, making the action even more relatable.

In summary, this production is the true epitome of what it means to be a mother, which is a joy and a rarity to see represented. As a parent of young children, shows like this feel so vitally important in the impact they can have on changing damaging attitudes and views in society. This is motherhood laid bare, every beautiful and bitter moment, and it is a breath of fresh air. Guttural, illuminating and heart-warming, this show deserves all the accolades (and Tom Hardy Cbeebies bedtime stories) possible.

Visit The Good Enough Mums Club website to find out further information on the tour and their work.