A sell-out theatre show celebrating the freedom, humour and honesty of menopause is heading to Swindon later this month.
Queenagers, created by the award-winning feminist theatre company Scary Little Girls, arrives at the Swindon Arts Centre on Friday 17 July as part of a major UK tour.
Described as a glittering blend of cabaret, comedy and music, the production offers a fresh take on menopause, combining laughter with moving personal stories that challenge stereotypes and celebrate women embracing a new stage of life.
The show is hosted by the flamboyant Bunny Morethan – the alter ego of Scary Little Girls’ artistic director Rebecca Mordan – who guides audiences through an evening of songs, humour and heartfelt monologues exploring everything from hot flushes and mood swings to newfound confidence and freedom.
Queenagers is inspired by Jennifer Kennedy’s award-winning Facebook blog Is It Just Me and her acclaimed Edinburgh Fringe show Menopausal Mayhem. Together they form the backbone of a production that gives voice to women sharing their own experiences of midlife, alongside the perspectives of some of those closest to them.
Joining Rebecca Mordan and Jennifer Kennedy on stage are Johanne Murdock, whose television credits include His Dark Materials, Emmerdale and Such Brave Girls, Rosie Ede, who has appeared with the National Theatre and Leeds Playhouse, and performer and director Chloë Clarke of disabled-led company Elbow Room Theatre.
The wider touring cast also features Jenny Beare, Flo Crowe, Deborah Tracey and Amantha Edmead, bringing together performers from theatre, television, music and community arts.
Behind the scenes, the production is directed by Shazz Andrew, with design by Clare Summerson and production management by Jade Dunbar, whose work includes the Glastonbury Festival Circus Big Top.
Rebecca Mordan said audiences have embraced the show wherever it has been performed.
She said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be taking Queenagers on the road again. This show has been so loved on every tour we’ve done – our audiences have laughed, cried and told us it’s changed how they feel about this stage of their lives, and that never gets old.”
While the show centres on menopause, organisers say it is ultimately about resilience, humour and celebrating life, inviting audiences of all ages to join Bunny Morethan and her “court of Queens” for an evening that is uplifting, empowering and unapologetically entertaining.
Queenagers will be performed at the Swindon Arts Centre on Friday 17 July. Tickets are available through the Swindon Theatres box office and the production’s official website.
