Anything But The Dyson and Other Excellent Monologues

Women of a certain age are definitely going to connect with Katrina Mathers’ Anything But The Dyson and Other Excellent Monologues, staged as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

However, given the laughter of the men in the audience on opening night, it’s not a show just for women.

It could be many of those men can laugh at what their partners are going through in a forum that’s unlikely to cause further issues or offence!

Mathers’ 60 minute show is predominately about menopause’s impact on women and other ‘life issues’ including teenagers and older parents.

Brain fog, memory loss, fatigue, anger, confusion and hot flushes are all explored in a warm, humorous and engaging way as Mathers tells her personal story and those of other women writers through a series of  stand-alone monologues.

Those writers include Bridgette Burton Samantha Hill, Jude Bridge, Kate Rotherham, Jayne Sharp (UK) and Melissa Tagliamonte (USA).

Mathers’ words and excellent presentation ensure her health struggles with two bouts of cancer and now all the worst symptoms associated with menopause are funny, entertaining and relatable.

The show also includes reflections on a wide variety of subjects including a Dyson vacuum cleaner.  Cold water swimming, a youngster’s unsuccessful first kiss and loving your appearance also feature.

The monologues see Mathers transform into several different characters with the help of a change in voice, props or a simple on-stage outfit change.

As a result, her excellent acting and comic ability comes to the fore, something audiences haven’t seen for quite a while given her 23-year hiatus from stage performances. Reaction from the crowd suggest it’s a welcome return.

Anything But The Dyson and Other Excellent Monologues is playing at Collingwood’s Black Box Theatre at Trainscendence 5/48 Easey Street, Collingwood until April 19.

Visit Katrina Mathers’ website for more information and tickets.

*Photo credit: Brent Lukey

Jenny Burns attended opening night as a guest of the production company.