Menopause. The concept send shivers down my spine. Upon hearing the word I immediately think of my parents’ ongoing battle over the radiator and temperature control back home, not to mention my poor mother’s first ever serious encounter with anxiety. I am no stranger to hormonal imbalance, and the thought of what appears to be the apocalypse of a woman’s hormonal cycle when she approaches age 50 is something I generally try to put to the back of my mind.
So here I was with the opportunity to face two of my fears:
1. What happens during menopause.
2. Musicals.
I arrived at the Athenaeum Theatre for ‘Menopause The Musical – Women On Fire‘ with nervous anticipation. (Also due to the fact that I had invited a male plus one and wasn’t sure if maybe I should have asked a girlfriend instead.) The venue is beautiful. I always enjoy the Athenaem for its old world charm alone. In contrast to this, the stage set was dominated by many layers of pink, representing a multi-level modern department store here in Melbourne.
The show got underway by introducing the all-female cast in an opening scene depicting a fight over an underwear sale that leads to the ladies realising that they are all going through ’the change’. For the next 1.5 hours the group of women explore the various levels of the department store and in doing so lament their shared experiences of major changes in their lifes. This is done musically through altered versions of classics like ’Some Like It Hot’ and ’Fever’.
The content doesn’t focus on hot flushes alone, but rather manages, in a lighthearted way, to highlight the many struggles associated with this time in a woman’s life: depression, incontinence, forgetfulness, an altered sex drive, and changes in one’s body shape. The audience was extremely engaged, with many of the females present nodding in recognition and laughing out loud constantly. I particularly enjoyed Caroline Gillme’s vocals and character. She plays a businesswoman who has to constantly fake being on top of the game despite her growing confusion and forgetfulness (not to mention that constant HEAT).
I can’t say that my fear of menopause has been diminished in any way by this production. What I took away from it, however, is that as women we have an amazing ability to support each other through tough times. This is a shared suffering and much better endured in the company of others – I believe this was the message that ‘Menopause’ seeks to leave with its audience.
On the plus side it looks like my sex drive is in for some serious acceleration. I see a toyboy in my future. My companion came out of the show voicing a new appreciation for the things females have to endure during their lifetime. I think he was feeling a bit dizzy from the oestrogen exposure. As for the music: look, I would lie if I said my foot wasn’t tapping along. Maybe I’m on my way to becoming a convert to musicals after all.
– Claudia
Claudia B. is a German/Kiwi graphic designer and illustrator who has been living and working in Melbourne for the last four years. She enjoys a good glass of whiskey and the occasional pole dancing class.
Menopause The Musical – Women On Fire runs 21 July – 6 August at the Athenaeum Theatre. Purchase tickets now.
The venue is accessible.
