Hysterical and uplifting, Menopause The Musical will have you laughing and singing all the way home. It runs at Dundee’s Whitehall Theatre on February 9 and 12
What causes women of a certain age to suffer cold sweats, hot flushes, hormones to rage like tsunamis and mood swings that make them as predictable as the British weather?
No, it’s not watching David Beckham train – it’s the menopause.
But rather than complain about it, why not turn this change-of-life experience into a fun filled night at the theatre, complete with great songs, rewritten to perfectly capture the mood.
Three of Britain’s best-loved stars, EastEnders’s Cheryl Fergison, girl power group legend Maureen Nolan and Casualty’s Rebecca Wheatley are starring in Menopause The Musical, which runs at Dundee’s Whitehall Theatre on February 9 and 12.
The hysterical show is packed full of one-liners about night sweats and memory loss and is backed by a soundtrack of innuendo-laden versions of 60s, 70s and 80s pop classics.
The ladies believe sharing this fun night to be therapy for the soul.
This is Cheryl Fergison’s second tour with Menopause The Musical and for her the timing couldn’t be better. “This show simply had to be made,” she says.
“It tells you it’s okay to talk about the subject and I’m delighted because I’m going through the menopause myself at the moment. Until you do, you have no idea it’s such a big thing.”
Cheryl jokes that suddenly, she’s “sprouting a moustache” and adds: “I’ve never been one for creams, but I’m looking at them now and thinking: ‘Is this going to make me firmer? Is this going to take my beard off?’”.
Menopause The Musical, says Cheryl, features songs that connect with her state of mind.
“There are songs about getting older and the inevitability of your body shape changing. And I love the fact this show reminds everyone that the menopause makes you emotional.
“I’m not an emotional person but now I am tearing up, all the time, over nothing at all.”
Maureen is just as enthusiastic about the show. “The timing is great for this show,” she maintains.
“Women seemed to be desperate for a great night out. The show entertains with 23 songs such as I Will Survive, but re-written with comedy lyrics.
“And it doesn’t make light of the menopause; rather it shows you can tackle the raging hot sweats with humour and honesty. I certainly don’t mind anyone knowing I have to have fans in my dressing room, even when it’s cold.
“But what’s really great about this show is that women come up to you and say ‘Thank you for making it okay to be over fifty.’
“And if men do come to the show, they will understand why their wife, on occasion, has tried to kill them.”
Rebecca echoes her co-stars: “Having a group of women in one hall all able to laugh at the changes they go through during menopause is a massively uplifting sensation.
“And the menopause isn’t all bad. By the time they hit it women know so much more about themselves.”
Rebecca acknowledges the menopause can create confusion.
“There was a time when women believed that with the arrival of the menopause their attractiveness departed and sex was a thing of the past. Not now!” she beams.
“Years ago, I’d be having a blue rinse at this stage, not getting my hair dyed flame red. But who wants to surrender to middle age? Not me. I want to be a thoroughly disgraceful fifty something.”
Giveaway
Promensil, the makers of menopause relief supplements, have given us two tickets to see Menopause the Musical at the Whitehall Theatre, to give away to the first name chosen at random after the closing date of Monday February 6 at noon.
To be in with a chance of winning, email wo@thecourier.co.uk with your name, address, postcode and “Menopause the Musical tickets” in the subject line. The deadline is Monday February 6 at noon.