Donna Lee is a superstar, an absolute sensation in Menopause the Musical – Women on Fire!, a reworking of the story of four women who meet at a lingerie sale and discover they have plenty in common. Not only does Lee have a strong singing voice and impeccable comic timing, but her ability to connect with an audience is second to none. Her facial expressions and body movements are priceless as a Dubbo housewife who is stopping off to have bathroom breaks as often as most of us have hot dinners. As good as the other cast member are, Lee is the clear standout – diminutive, but oh so accomplished at nailing her character’s vulnerabilities.
Menopause the Musical – Women on Fire!, an offshoot of the original Menopause the Musical, which debuted in Melbourne in 2005 – is jam-packed with clever rewording of familiar hit songs from the baby boomer era. I Heard It Through the Grapevine, The Great Pretender, Burn Baby Burn, Fever and We Are Family are among them. The four stars – among six in the cast – compare medication and beauty treatments, discuss a lack of sex, consider the merits of intimate apparel and reflect upon insomnia. Not surprisingly, hot flushes feature prominently, as do incontinence, memory loss and night sweats – all very real issues, but naturally treated with hilarity and warmth. Some of the material is rib-ticklingly funny, although I felt the show got off to a rather disappointing start (it felt a tad amateurish or forced) before kicking into gear and taking us along for the ride.
The department store setting is created by depicting a lift centre stage, around which is prominent purple and orange floral print wallpaper. Props – such as a pyramid-shaped rack of torso mannequins complete with knickers and bras – represent the different floors where the women meet and mingle. That could be the beauty parlour or the café, or when trying on the latest red teddy.
The highly accomplished Caroline Gillmer is prominent throughout and doesn’t put a foot wrong, while I was particularly impressed by Megan Shapcott, who shines when she becomes the focus of attention. She is a real comic find. The soapie star is played by Jackie Love, while choreography and direction is from Tony Bartuccio.
At 90 minutes without interval, Menopause the Musical – Women on Fire! had my wife laughing uproariously at times. I was less effusive, but still found much to smile about, especially when Donna Lee had us in the palm of her hands, which she did frequently.
It is playing at the Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne until 6th August.
Alex First
David Edwards is the editor of The Blurb and a contributor on film and television