Menopause The Musical 2 At New Theatre, Cardiff Review
TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW.
Reviewed by Mrs_Taylor
What a delightful show! I really didn’t know what to expect when I found out I had got tickets to see Menopause the Musical 2. Considering every woman goes through the menopause I think it is brilliant that there is a show about it but I was worried that it might be a bit cringy, especially as I hadn’t seen the first Menopause the Musical so had no idea what it would be like. I also thought I probably would be one of the youngest people seeing it as I am under the age of 45 and that definitely proved right! I think I spotted a handful of men in the theatre but the majority of people watching the show were older ladies. Which now that I have seen the show is a bit frustrating as it is relatable, funny and informative for any gender or age!
I was completely wrong to think it would be cringy. It was hilarious and delightful and just brilliant to have a show which only had four middle aged women on the stage for the entire time (it is about time we had more shows like this!)
All four main actors (Chrissy Rock, Rebecca Wheatley, Nicki French and Susie Fenwick) were fantastic and did a great job of showing the beauty of friendship while also highlighting the frustrations and effects of going through the menopause.
The whole show is set on a cruise and the stage props, although simple, were very effective with four doors at the back of the set which went to each of their cabins and not much else on stage. The lighting was also great and perfect in all the songs – with different colours and spotlights depending on what atmosphere they wanted to create. I was seated in the Circle and had a perfect view of the stage but the great thing about New Theatre, Cardiff is that every seat has a good view (and if not you can pay £1 to use the binoculars which are attached behind most seats!)
Chrissy Rock (who plays Janey York in Benidorm) was Earth Mother and made us all cry with laughter over her lovely but useless husband. Nicki French (who was the UK’s representative at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2000) played Power Woman and spoke about the hardships of balancing a career with family. Rebecca Wheatley (who plays receptionist Amy Howard in Casualty) played a Housewife who had lost her husband and wasn’t sure if they were ready for a new relationship and Susie Fenwick (a theatre performer who has been in over 20 London West End musicals) played a Soapstar who was struggling to cope with getting older and feeling like she was invisible.
All four had incredible singing voices and the songs were spot on! They were clever, funny and very catchy. The performance was roughly 2 hours and 10 minutes long with a 20 minute interval (which is an ideal time to go to the bar and get a glass of wine) and it got a standing ovation at the end which it deserved!
This is the perfect show for anyone to go and see, especially with friends, and will leave you feeling warm inside.
Rating: 5/ 5
Tickets cost from £32.50 and a £3.65 transaction fee may apply to your order.
Menopause the Musical 2 is at New Theatre, Cardiff from Wednesday 16th March 2022 to Saturday 19th March 2022, for more information or to book tickets visit:
https://newtheatrecardiff.co.uk/Online/tickets-menopause-the-musical-2-cardiff-2022
or call the box office on 0343 310 0041.
New Theatre, Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3LN.