MENOPAUSE:
IT’S A RIGHT LAUGH
The menopause is still hugely misunderstood and misdiagnosed despite half the population guaranteed to go through it. There are over 50 different symptoms. One in 10 women quit their jobs because they are not getting the support they need. Tragically, those aged between 45-55 are the highest cohort of suicide in women.
We wanted to raise awareness, understanding and support of everyone going through menopause, whilst championing Menopause Mandate’s petition to put menopause into the NHS 40+ health check. This would mean women could enter the transition armed with knowledge and prepared to make lifestyle and HRT choices. It could save countless women from years of baffling symptoms and save the NHS millions both short and long term.
On the 24th June 2024 we put on the hottest female comedy night of the year, literally. Together with Menopause Mandate and the support of Boots, we got 11 hilarious female comedians together to turn the tables on centuries of finding older women nothing but a joke.
With a glittering introduction by chair Mariella Frostrup and compered by the irrepressible Davina McCall, the audience rocked with laughter through two hours of menopause and midlife-themed hilarity. Jo Brand, Zoe Lyons, Nina Conti, Jenny Eclair, Sikisa, Ria Lina, Sara Barron, Thanyia Moore, Jen Brister, Laura Smyth, and Isma Almas each delivered side splitting sets at The Hippodrome to educate, raise awareness and break down taboos.
IT’S BEYOND A JOKE
For World Menopause Month 2022, Dark Horses and Menopause Mandate bought together a group of comedians, personalities, and one globally super famous rocker, to show that the lack of education and support for menopausal women is beyond a joke.
Jo Brand, Davina McCall, Lisa Snowdon, Gina Bellman, Lavina Mehta, Jackie Adedeji, Mariella Frostrup, TikTok sensation Hayley Morris and even Rod Stewart all lent their comic genius by telling menopause ‘jokes’.
Taking inspiration from classic gags such as ‘knock knock’, the ‘jokes’ show that the lack of awareness, understanding and treatment for menopause is laughable, championing the statement end line: ‘It’s beyond a joke’.The campaign culminated in a rally on Westminster on the 12th October, where Menopause Mandate directors, patrons and supporters came together and made some noise to keep the cause in the minds of MPs and top of the media agenda.
