We all know that menopause isn’t a joke, but for hundreds of years, it has been perceived as the ultimate punchline. Women of a certain age are irrational, overheated, wizened, shrivelled and over the hill.
The ultimate joke is that the UK’s 40+ women’s check-up doesn’t include menopause. It’s a joke without humour. Agency, Dark Horses, Menopause Mandate and Boots decided to take the joke to its rightful home – a comedy night.
The partners brought together Davina McCall, Mariella Frostrup and 10 amazing comedians in one place in one night to reclaim the joke and raise awareness of MM’s new MM40+ campaign.
On June 24, Jo Brand, Zoe Lyons, Nina Conti, Jenny Eclair, Sikisa, Ria Lina, Sara Barron, Thanyia Moore, Jen Brister, Laura Smyth and Isma Almas delivered the hottest (literally) comedy night of the year, Menopause: It’s a right laugh.
The howlingly hilarious female comedians led by Mariella Frostup and Davina McCall, rocked the house as the duo pleaded with everyone to sign Menopause Mandate’s petition asking that menopause be included in the NHS over 40 health check.
The event, designed to launch the MM40+ campaign, was created and curated by Menopause Mandate and Dark Horses in partnership with Boots.
The night was created to reclaim comedy as a cunning way to get everyone, not just women, talking comfortably about Menopause – because humour is disarming, charming, and draws people in. It’s also unashamedly broad because menopause isn’t just an issue for women – it’s an issue for everyone. And when more people understand menopause, women going through it will receive more empathy and support.
This is vital because while there’s been a lot more noise in recent years, menopause is still a hugely misunderstood, misdiagnosed and challenging hormonal disruption that can go on for more than a decade. It is something half the population will go through, and everyone will know someone going through it – whether that’s colleagues, friends, clients, suppliers, flatmates, mothers or daughters. One in 10 women quit their jobs because they are not getting the support they need. Tragically, women between 45-55 are the highest cohort of suicides in women. There are more than 50 different symptoms.
The event was organised with the Gilded Balloon, one of the UK’s leading producers of live comedy and entertainment and directed by acclaimed comedy and entertainment director, Babs Wiltshire, who has directed and produced TV shows such as Inside Number 9, Would I Lie to You and The Ranganation.
Mariella Frostrup stated, “Last night was a hilarious reminder that women can also be funny. Imagine that! I can’t thank the brilliant comedians enough for making us all weep with laughter. For one night, the tables were turned on those enduring toxic tropes. Menopause was the punchline, but this time it’s on our terms. But on a serious note, we’re imploring everyone to sign our petition and make sure that menopause is given the priority it deserves in our over 40 NHS health check. The next government has the chance to support millions of midlife women with one simple change. Let’s all help make it happen.”
Davina McCall added, “Every woman in the UK is given a health check for free over the age of 40. They might talk about heart health and diabetes risk, but the one thing that every single woman is 100% going to go through is menopause, and that’s not even given a nod. Women need to be educated and informed. Please scan our QR code and sign the petition. We’re looking to the future. Let’s get the next generations of girls fully supported.”
Melissa Robertson, director of Menopause Mandate and CEO of Dark Horses, commented, “Menopause is suffered by nearly every woman, ignored by nearly every politician and has been the butt of men’s jokes for years; but for at least one night, women had the last laugh. Despite some great work by amazing people, menopause is still a taboo. And comedy is the most brilliantly disarming weapon to break down taboos. So, with the help of Boots, the Gilded Balloon and some brilliant women, that’s what we did.”
