The pitfalls of parenthood gives birth to a great show!

However, thanks to two teachers from Wing, the notion of the perfect mother is about to be dispelled as a series of humorous sketches sets to prove that every emotion, happy or hair-pulling, is indeed an everyday occurrence and everyone is a ‘model’ mum in their own way . . . And just what is normal anyway?

Avelia Moisey and Jill Neenan are teachers by day and mothers 24/7. They have written a show called Ifs, Buts and Babies, about the trials and tribulations, tears and triumphs of parenthood. Last week at Leighton Buzzard Theatre it made its debut to a full house - mostly mums, but a sprinkling of dads joined in the fun.

The two-woman show, and a guy on the piano (Bruce Boardman), played out a series of sketches and songs depicting motherhood from giving birth to when the little darlings start school.

Being a mum myself, writes Sarah Holmes, I could relate to most of it and like the other mums in the audience laughed out loud at some of the scenarios (see – I wasn’t the only one!)

Silent Movie told the story of getting the newborn baby ready to go out and, although it was over 20 years ago now, I can still remember the palaver made doubly difficult because I lived in a top-floor flat at the time.

Avelia and Jill crossed boundaries with questioning songs like “What Could I Have Been?” and “Why Me”, depicting the taboo subject of the dark side of motherhood. Oh and “Big Knickers” – what you could end up wearing if the mummy-tummy doesn’t spring back into place!

Juggling chores, baby’s first steps and sleepless nights all play a part as do the tear-jerking first day at school.

Unconditional and overwhelming love, of course, wins the day and the show ends with a celebration of parenthood.

Avelia studied trumpet, organ and singing at the Royal Academy of Music and the audience was treated to a few blasts on the trumpet during the show. She has also starred in West End shows such as Cats, Starlight Express, Oliver, Calamity Jane, and Jolson.

Meanwhile Jill is an accomplished soprano and has experience in a variety of musical genres, including opera, pantomime and musical theatre including Maria in West Side Story; Barnum; and Mabel in the Pirates of Penzance.

She has also performed as a soloist at the London Palladium, Kensington Roof Gardens and Schonbruum Palace in Vienna.

The pair now plan to take Ifs, Buts and Babies on tour and may even tread the boards at The Grove in Dunstable shortly. Keep an eye out for it at a theatre near you – it is worth seeing just to put your mind at rest that you are actually a great mum!

SARAH HOLMES.