Diverse City, in association with Theatre Royal Plymouth presents
Hold tight... there's a change coming.
Mid Life
27 February - 29 March 2025
Vivid, rebellious and joyful – join us as we laugh, roar and disco dance our way through our midlife!
Written by
Sheila Chapman
Direction and Dramaturgy by
Lucy Richardson
Co-Created by
Claire Hodgson, Jacqui Beckford and Karen Spicer
Running time
Show 80 mins + Disco party 60 mins.
Age guidance
14+ contains adult themes.
Accessibility
All shows are chilled performances, BSL interpreted, audio described and captioned.
Diverse City's sell-out and life-affirming show Mid Life is back for a new UK tour.
Watch the BSL Interpreted Trailer for Mid Life
Claire wants to perform a one-woman show called Mid Life in celebration of her 50th birthday. Her performance, however, is soon interrupted. Audio describer Karen, BSL interpreter Jacqui and the after-party DJ she’s booked, all have things they want to say. Laugh, cry and roar with us, as we disco dance our way through Mid Life!
Rewritten and revamped since its sell-out tour in 2020, this upbeat, life-affirming show is packed with razor-sharp humour and disco. The show ends with a dance party, hosted by DJ and former Eastenders actress, Judith Jacob.
27 February - 1 March
21 -22 March
6 - 8 March
24 March
13 March
15 March
Experience the Show Everyone's Talking About
Don’t miss Mid Life, book your tickets now and join the conversation that’s changing the way we see ourselves—and each other.
Mid Life was conceived by Claire Hodgson and co-created with Karen Spicer and Jacqui Beckford, drawing from their own life experiences and research by Dr. Isabel de Salis. This groundbreaking show explores the realities of midlife and menopause with humour, honesty, and heart—giving voice to those who are so often left out of the conversation.
Prioritising accessibility all performances are chilled, BSL interpreted, and audio described, ensuring that the experience is open to as many people as possible.
In 2021, the show was proudly Offie nominated for IDEA Production, recognising its innovation in inclusive theatre.
And the experience doesn’t stop when the curtain falls—after each performance, the cast and audience are invited to dance the night away with a live DJ set from the legendary Judith Jacob.
Bold, Funny, and Unapologetic
“Totally inspired by Mid Life’s honesty, courage and power”
2020 Audience Member
“Diverse City pull no punches here, but in this brutally honest exposé of mid-life menopausal crisis, there is something endearingly human about Claire, Jacqui and Karen’s stories.”
Simon Bishop, Stage Talk 2020
“Mid Life is filled with a feeling of genuine and sincere love, both for those onstage and in the audience, that many shows aim for but few manage to create.”
“One of the best professional and human experiences I’ve had. I have learned, laughed, cried and enjoyed my time. Thank you.”
Audience Reflection, 2020
Meet the Cast of Mid Life
Karen Spicer
as Karen
Karen Spicer plays Karen, a frustrated slam poet who’s spent a lifetime fighting hard for equality for everyone. Usually, she’s here to do the audio description, but if she has to listen to one more straight, white, cis, non-disabled, middle-class lady whine about her dry vagina, she is going to lose it.
Judith Jacob as Empress JJ
Judith Jacob plays Empress JJ. She’s been hired to DJ the afterparty for Claire’s 50th party, and she’s really just supposed to be quietly setting up her decks. If she’s got to be here though, you’d better believe she’s going to make sure the audience has a good time.
Ali Gordon as Ali
Ali Gordon plays Ali, a BSL Interpreter. It’s her night off, and she’s supposed to be enjoying the show. There’s no way she’s going to have to step in to avert a crisis. Right?
Credits
Lucy Richardson, Director and Dramaturgy
Sheila Chapman, Writer
Laura Dickens, Creative Producer
Katy Morison, Lighting Designer
Vicki Igbokwe - Ozoagu, Choreographer
Vivienne Clavering, Production Manager
Gary Ward, Technical Stage Manager
Sophia Knox - Miller, Stage Manager, Audio Description of Production and Instructional Dance Video
Rosie Powell, Film Maker
Paula Hammond, Tour Booker
Dominic Delargy, Sound Consultant
Alice Hagan, Set, Costume and Props
Stephen Lloyd, Creative Captioning
Alexa Ledecky, Audio description, Trailer and Flyer
Nadia Nadarajah, BSL Interpretation, Instructional Dance Video and Trailer
Binita Wadia, Press and PR
A Big Thank You
We are deeply grateful to everyone who has contributed their time creativity and energy to bring this show to life.
With heartfelt thanks to:
- Andrea Etherington
- Anita’s Room and SDH Space
- Bangladeshi Bristol Women’s Group
- Barbara Bradley (Spicer)
- Beth Gardner
- Briony Balsom
- Caroline Pearce
- David Annen
- Dr. Isabel De Salis
- Doreen Hodgson
- Farah Dignam
- Fay Blockley
- Hannah Walsh
- Helen Buckley-Hoffmann
- Kath Newman
- Kim Byford
- Laurel Alberta Beckford neé Johnson-Frith
- Melanie Sramek-Bennett
- Mel Allwood
- Monica Silkenas
- Omeima Mudawi-Rowlings MBE
- Podington Bear
- Sarah Johnson
- Sarah Saeed
- Scarlett Hodgson
- Sharon Schofield
- Shiloh-Rose Ijoyemi
- Swimmin Wimmin of Swanage – Swim Club
- Tom Strudwick
- Tor Lloyd
- Winnie Apollo-Schubert
- Yvonne Beckford
- Zuri Rose Mpaka
A huge thank you to Theatre Royal Plymouth, Arts Council England, Plymouth City Council, and Chalk Cliff Trust for their generous support in making Mid Life possible.
A Special Thank You to the Mums
We want to give a special mention to the incredible mothers who have shaped, supported, and inspired us:
- Doreen Hodgson
- Barbara Bradley (Spicer)
- Laurel Alberta Beckford neé Johnson-Frith
Thank you for everything.
If you loved Mid Life, help us bring more diverse stories to the stage!
We believe theatre should reflect everyone—on stage, behind the scenes, and in the audience. Your support makes that possible.
Donate today and be part of changing the landscape of theatre.
Menopause Manifesto
“This show mirrors our real lives. As a result of our conversations, I thought – what if WE were centre stage and could tell OUR stories? It’s a time of putting ourselves first for a change. We see that menopause can affect everyone in some way – so this show is for everyone“
Claire Hodgson
Menopause is not a niche issue—it affects everyone.
It’s time for action. It’s time for representation. It’s time for menopause to take centre stage.
