| Menopause the Musical |
| Written by Paul Kooperman |
| Friday, 07 November 2008 06:53 |
 “Inspired by a hot flush and a bottle of wine” (in the words of creator Jeanie Linders), Menopause the Musical begins yet another season as a preview to its 2009 tour. The show’s been running since 2001 and has certainly been successful in reaching its target market – women aged mostly between 30 and 80 (In a mostly full auditorium last night, I counted only six men). Set in a department store, where four women with seemingly nothing in common but a black lace bra meet by chance. There is relatively no plot, but the musical sings along with parodies of known hits from the 60s and 70s including The Great Pretender, Only You, The Lion Sleeps Tonight, Stand by Your Man and I Will Survive. Some songs work better than others. While some are cluttered with repetitive, clumsy lyrics, others really ‘hit home’. Maria Mercedes' version of Fever was one of the more memorable moments. The musical pokes fun at things such as hot flashes, memory loss, mood swings, wrinkles, night sweats and eating binges and by the reactions of the women in the audience, many of them nodding throughout the show, it felt like the show hit a chord with the audience time and time again. The cast includes Vivien Davies, Maria Mercedes, Angela Ayers and Cindy Pritchard. All performers served the piece well, full of energy and each having their moments of connection with the audience. The direction by Gary Young was slick, keeping the show moving and the audience entertained. The production suffers from lack of budget, feeling like it’s been done on a shoe-string. Paul Keelan is a wonderful musical director, but I did hear comments wondering if a Karaoke backing track was used. While I found the show more like a well-rehearsed university revue than a musical, given the songs are parodies as opposed to original tunes, it has certainly found an audience in Australia and overseas and deserves the success it continues to have. “Most women know intuitively that every other woman is experiencing memory loss, night sweats, or hot flushes but when they are in a theatre with hundreds of women – not just a few sympathetic friends - and all are laughing and shouting ‘that’s me’ then they know what they are experiencing is normal. They aren’t crazy. It becomes a sisterhood.” Jeanie Linders, Playwright Menopause the Musical Venue: Athenaeum Theatre | 188 Collins Street, Melbourne Dates: Wednesday, November 5 - Sunday, November 9 2008 Tickets: Adult - $48, Concession $40, Groups (10+) $35 Bookings: Ticketmaster - www.ticketmaster.com.au or 1300 136 166
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Comments (7)Subscribe to this comment's feed...
Really enjoyed the musical - very funny, very relateabile, great music, great cast. Sadly, a missed opportunity to tell the WHOLE story, i.e. there was NO reference to the LOSS of sexual appetite that often happens to menopausal women. This is a common symptom and I think there are a lot of women and men out there believing they are not normal.
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November 30, 2008
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We are absolutely devastated that there is only one performance here in Mandurah in May.
We are a group of Red Hatters here in Mandurah and a couple of us saw the show in Subuiaco and are still laughing. We have told our ladie that we will be going to see it, but unfortunately as they are mostly elderly they don't go out in thevening. Also most of the seats have been sold. Is there a possibility that you could do a matinee I am sure the seats would sell. Yoursin fun and friendship Susan Queen of the Gardens Dolphinettes Mandurah Red Hat Society.
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February 21, 2009
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my sister and I saw the musical yesterday, I could have sat through it again I enjoyed the performance, I hadn't laughed so much in a long time and it did me a power of good. I did buy the CD but not as good as the Nowra performance. I wish to thank the girls for giving us a great time.
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March 15, 2009
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I also saw the show yesterday at Nowra with a mixed group of 60-something friends and we all enjoyed it so much, we are still laughing about it. Didnt see the CD for sale there and would love to buy it. Does anyone know where I can get a copy of it? Congratulations on a spectaculare performance to the ladies. Great show
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March 15, 2009
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