There’s no need to make a song and dance about menopause, says actress Carli Norris – but you might have more fun if you do!
Launched in Florida in 2001, Menopause the Musical has toured the world and won over fans throughout the UK. Now, the sequel is coming to Cambridge this month, focusing on the lives of four women who set off on a cruise.
“Essentially, you’ve got four very different people, each with their own set of menopause symptoms, and none of whom have actual names,” explains actress Carli Norris, who plays a character simply called Soap Star. “I’m representing that portion of society that never got married, and always thought of themselves as quite young and funky, always with a younger boyfriend. Then one day it just clicks for her that she doesn’t need a younger man – or any man – to make her feel good about herself.”
The other characters are Housewife, a sex-starved widow, Power Woman, who’s spent most of her life focused on her career, and Earth Mother, who’s a bit of a hippie. “Each character has a poignant monologue to deliver that starts off funny, such as ‘when I was younger I used to do this, that and the other, and now I’m spritzing myself with HRT like it’s Chanel No 5’. Then there’s a moment where it just goes quiet, as the character contemplates her life choices and what she’s lost. You can hear the audience go quiet too, and you realise that this is really important.”
Alongside the sadness and reflection, there are parody pop songs to release the dramatic tension. “They all have funny lyrics about wetting yourself and forgetting where you put your car keys,” laughs Carli.
“At first I thought the show was just about having a fun night out with the girls. I had no idea how important it would be, particularly at the end, when we sing this beautiful love song to sisterhood, and the audience are all on their feet crying. People come up to us afterwards and say ‘I thought I was on my own and invisible…’
“One of the best things is working with these other three incredible women – Maureen Nolan, Daniele Coombe and Rebecca Wheatley – they’re complete angels. We’re all belly-laughing every day, and I think that’s one of the best therapies for menopause, being around other women going through the same thing.
“I had no idea I was going through menopause. I thought I was just depressed: my mum died last year, my sister had breast cancer, we moved house and I had to get an office job. I was having all these terrible mood swings, even suicidal thoughts. I ended up relying on wine, getting into drunken arguments and I put on four stone. Then I got here and realised I wasn’t the only one going through it. This show is the best therapy; the songs are so funny, it’s such a great night out.”
Menopause the Musical 2 is at Cambridge Corn Exchange on Friday 4 April
