Fem de la Femme - Menopause Special
Wed 18 Oct 2023
DOWNSTAIRS AT THE EVERYMAN
£5
Taking the 'heat' out of Menopause
In partnership with Writing on the Wall
On World Menopause Day, join us for a night of comedy, music, spoken word and live art from women performers on the cusp of, or in the throes of the menopause. We will be raising awareness and money for
The Menopause Charity as well offering a signposting information stall on the night.
All aged 18+ are welcome to attend.
Joy France - Headliner
After a lifetime of shyness, in her mid 50s she found her voice through spoken word poetry. She then took early retirement from teaching to explore her new found creativity and confidence.
Now, she brings disparate people together, forming and strengthening communities. In particular she loves the magic that is found when cross generational meaningful connections are formed. Currently, she is Creative in Residence at Afflecks Palace (Manchester's retail Emporium of Eclectism) she has a free-to-use Creative Space where for 6 years people of all ages and backgrounds have come together through creativity.
A short documentary (made by Wigan based Northern Heart Films) has won several awards. It tells of what happened when Joy stepped into the world of battle rap. She is now collaborating on a on documentary project telling the story of what happened next...
"Delightful... devilish... and on the mic... devastating. Blends comedy, rap and storytelling seamlessly." COMICS ANONYMOUS.
"Witty and wise and with a natural talent, Joy France has that 'je ne sais quoi'" TONY WALSH
Gillian Hardie
Gillian Hardie is a Liverpool based actress whose credits include Kinky Boots (Original West End cast), Bad Girls The Musical (Original West End cast), Blood Brothers (UK Tour) Mamma Mia! (UK Tour) She has produced numerous productions including Songs For a New World, Elegies, When I Was A Girl and co written two award winning shows Scotty Road The Musical - From Primark to Prison and Mis Les - A Revolution in Rollers!
After legging it across the country for years, she now resides in Liverpool working as a casting director. She is well known for repeating her stories. Often.
Cath Holland
Cath Holland has been published by Mslexia Magazine, Dead Ink Books, and FictiveDream amongst many other beautiful places, both in print and online. Her short story Rush Hour was nominated for a BIFFY - Best British and Irish Flash Fiction of the Year. Her latest story ‘From Menarche to Menopause’ is a satire on the commercial exploitation of womens vulnerabilities throughout our lifetimes and can be found in Menopause – The Anthology (Arachne Press) published on 18 October 2023, World Menopause Day.
Cath has appeared on Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour talking about her writing, and recently performed spoken word pieces concerned with misogyny, grief, and the loneliness of the modern age on BBC Radio Merseyside.
Flloyd Kennedy
FLLOYD (@Flloydwith2Ells) KENNEDY – AKA Fairy Bessie, is a freelance actress, director, singer-songwriter and performance poet. She participated in the British folk revival in the late 1960s, ran a licenced restaurant in the Hebrides in the 70s, performed in Scotland in the 80's and 90s, and has taught voice, accents and acting skills in the UK, US and Australia. Flloyd is an Associate Artist with ISAAC (International School for Acting And Creativity) and a proud member of British Actors Equity. Her podcast comedy-drama serial Am I Old Yet? is available on all major podcasting apps. Her poetry collections Sunsets & Kites, Home is Where I Hang My Pot and It’s Only a Matter of Time are available from local and online booksellers, and her songs are available on Bandcamp.
Lorraine Hoodless
Lorraine has been giggling about the country for five years, taking two solo shows to Edinburgh Fringe festival 2022 and 2023, She also combined her love of cocktails during lockdown and presented a live Instagram show making cocktails and providing her comedic take on the weeks events. A self deprecating, and charming comedian, who 'deserves to be seen', with 'plenty of funny material' (One4Review) Wildcard Amused Moose New Comedian 2020, and Semi-finalist Comedian of the year 2021.
Hosted by Helen Jeffery and Claire Berry
Helen is a Northern Writer, Poet, Performer and Freelance Project Manager for Liverpool -based Charity, Writing on the Wall. Last year she published her debut poetry pamphlet, 'Journey’ and alongside running writing workshops around all subjects (including menopause!) she is currently writing, directing and producing her third play for stage.
Claire is the host and organiser of Fem de la Femme CIC, she is very menopausal and requires regular fanning and reminders of where she has put her keys, fags, phone, kid etc…she is super excited about this event and hopefully will turn on the right day at the right time…fingers crossed heh!