Hilariously irreverent show on surprising subject comes to Laois

Who'd have thought you could get a laugh out of the menopause and turn the topic into a hit show?

Anne Gildea that's how and she's bringing the smash one-woman show to Laois in 2023.

In February 2022 Anne launched the show ‘How To Get The Menopause And Enjoy It’ in The Viking Theatre, Clontarf, with its planned two-week run extended to a month, such was the response.

It proved such a big hit that Anne went on tour with the production and has since played 62 hugely successful dates around Ireland in 2022, appearing in 28 venues and entertaining over 10,000 comedy fans.

Anne Gildea is a founder and core member of the comedy ‘super-group’ The Nualas and a well-known comedienne and writer. Most recently, her memoir, I’ve got Cancer. What’s Your Excuse? inspired the feature film The Bright Side which premiered in cinemas in 2021 and is now streaming on Amazon Prime.

She says word-of-mouth and repeat attendance played a large part in its huge success.

"The show is not just laugh-out-loud entertaining, but it is also informative, as Anne brings her keen comedic skills to a topic that affects 51% of the population yet is still treated like a mystery.

Her 2023 Tour has already played a sell-out opening weekend in theatres in Tralee and Naas, and continues around the country, before heading to the UK for London dates in the Autumn. It includes returns to many venues, back by popular demand! MORE BELOW.

Audiences have loved it with one saying its “Billy Connolly meets The Vagina Monologues.”

Dr. Deirdre Lundy, menopause specialist said it was "amazingly funny and really accurate– I loved it!"

Loretta Dignam, Founder, Menopause Hub, was also won over. "Anne Gildea’s show is one woman genius. Hilarious and educational in equal parts. A must-see! I laughed out loud so much my face hurt."

Katy Hayes, a critic with the Irish Independent, was also impressed.

"Never has the female body been put under such an hilarious microscope…utterly punk," she said.

Ordinary punters were also delighted.

“I enjoyed it so much I went a second time and brought the husband. He had tears streaming down his face with laughter. And he learned a thing or three. Go everyone when you can. And bring all the men and women in your life too. They’ll love it,” said one. MORE Below.

This was the view of one fan: "This is the funniest, most honest and real show I have ever been to! Every woman should see it for really good information on menopause and to have genuine belly laughs! … I will go again!"

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The Laois leg of the tour takes place on May 15 at the Dunamaise Arts Centre.