Menopause the Musical
Audiences across Atlantic Canada are in for a boatload of
belly laughs over the coming week, as the renown musical comedy weaves its way
through Moncton, Halifax, Pictou, Glace Bay and Charlottetown. Recently, AE check
in with the show’s producer Janet Martin.
When and why did you first become
interested in theatre?
I've been in theatre professionally for 35 years as an actor, and
as a producer since 2014.
Are they the same reasons that
you continue to be involved today?
I don't know how to do much else, and theatre really fulfills my soul.
This way, I eat, sleep and breathe theatre. I believe in the power of live
performance and always have.
What are the challenges of the
vocation?
As an actor of a certain age, one must maintain the instrument, the
body, voice, health etc. As a producer, it is risky - not for the faint of
heart. Never go into this business (or any other) just for the money. There
must be passion too.
What are the rewards?
The reward for us in Menopause The Musical is the laughter of the
audience - it's non-stop. We feel like we do a type of therapy - getting people
to share their feelings about ageing and laughing about a serious subject. All
good.
Is your creative process more
'inspirational' or 'perspirational'?
For us, it's perspiration. The inspiration belonged to the author to
whom we are indebted always.
What first inspired Menopause the
Musical?
They say the show was written during a hot flash over a glass of wine by
the author and her buddies.
How has the production evolved
over the years?
It's a very tight show now as we all know each other so well, but the
bare bones remain the same. In live theatre, every night is different but in
subtle ways - perfecting a moment perhaps or getting an unexpected response
from the crowd.
What can audiences here in
Atlantic Canada expect to experience?
They will laugh throughout and enjoy a great night out with their
friends. Hey, men love it too!! And they learn something about their partners
too. Our show is 90 minutes of song and laughter. We perform parodies of hits
of the 60's 70 and 80's brilliantly re-lyracised to reflect the symptoms of
menopause. This is the original Canadian cast who have been together since
2006.
What are your thoughts on the
current state of theatre in Canada?
They say that when times are tough, the theatre does well. That is very
pertinent now with the mess of the world. People want to escape and laugh and
experience art in many ways. We hope they will do so by seeing our show again
and again. We do find that a lot of Canadian cities are struggling right now.
It depends where we play.
How can that be improved?
Don't get me started.
What's next on your creative
agenda?
Rumour has it there is a sequel in the works...that's all I'm saying!
Photo: Centre; Nicole Robert ~ back from left to right; Janet Martin, Michelle White, Jayne Lewis ~ photographer - Seth Greenleaf
