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Menopause the Musical

24/Nov/2009

By Emilia Vranjes

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MENTION menopause and most men will probably go running scared.

So when women drag along their other halves to the uproarious stage show that celebrates mid-life female change, Menopause The Musical, one can only imagine the sense of unease felt by the guys dotted throughout the audience.

But according to Maria Mercedes (The Rocky Horror Show, Chicago) – who plays the role of Power Woman in the latest production of the hugely successful musical to be touring Australia – the men generally come out of the theatre having had an even better time than the ladies.

“They just feel that all of a sudden, everything makes sense; that they haven’t married Godzilla. Or Cybill,” she laughed.

Written by American writer Jeanie Linders, Menopause The Musical is said to have played to more than 11 million women in 14 countries since opening in 2001, including an estimated 800,000 in Australia.

Directed by Gary Young (Mamma Mia!, Guys and Dolls), the Australian version focuses on four women who meet by chance at a lingerie sale in Myer and find themselves united by menopause.

They sing and dance their way through unique renditions of 60s, 70s and 80s numbers like Only You, Stand By Your Man and I Will Survive, all the while poking fun at hot flushes, memory loss, mood swings and chocolate binges.

But, of course, the universal fact of life that is menopause hasn’t always been the subject of open dialogue.

Born to Greek-Australian parents, Mercedes – who won Young Talent Time in 1973 and was one of the first singers with a European background to appear on Australian television – recalls her own mother’s experience with menopause during a time when it was strictly social taboo.

“Coming from a European background, a lot of things aren’t discussed,” she said.

“My mum had really bad symptoms and it was quite traumatic for her.

“The family didn’t know what it was; I thought she was having a nervous breakdown to be honest.

“It’s only through experiencing things yourself that you gain that empathy and knowledge.”

Mercedes hopes the show will continue to break down that wall of silence.

“When the show was first staged, menopause was pretty much still a taboo subject, but through the media, women are less reluctant to talk about it with their friends,” she said.

“The best medicine in life is laughter.

“If you can laugh at yourself in a nice way, and feel camaraderie, and know that there is light at the end of the tunnel, then it’s a great thing.”

Menopause The Musical is appearing at the Playhouse Theatre, Perth, from November 24 to December 12.


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