Mid Life – Dancing Through Mid Life, 2025 Tour
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.
Part of the Mid Life storyThe 2025 production toured to The Drum, Theatre Royal Plymouth; Lakeside Arts, Nottingham; Leeds Playhouse; Sterts Arts and Environmental Centre, Cornwall; Brighton Dome; The Mowlem, Swanage; and Farnham Maltings, Surrey.
It is one chapter in Mid Life — an evolving body of work created by Claire Hodgson and Diverse City exploring women, ageing, menopause, identity and taking up space.
Across performance, film, workshops and conversations, Mid Life has continued to grow and change. A new performance is now in development, exploring protest, activism and what moves us to speak up and take action.
We’ll be sharing more of the Mid Life story soon.
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.
Written by
Shelia Chapman
Direction and Dramaturgy by
Lucy Richardson
Co-Created by
Claire Hodgson, Jacqui Beckford and Karen Spicer
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.
“Brave, hilarious and powerful”
Audience member in Plymouth
“Totally inspired by its honesty, courage and power”
Audience member in 2020
“Life-affirming, familiar and poignant.”
Audience member in Brighton
Meet the cast of Mid Life
Claire Hodgson
as Claire
Claire Hodgson plays Claire an overwhelmed mother aged 50. She is in HR, up to h… Claire Hodgson plays Claire an overwhelmed mother aged 50. She is in HR, up to her eyes
Jacqui Beckford
as Jacqui
Jacqui Beckford plays Jacqui, a BSL interpreter who has been interpreting what o… Jacqui Beckford plays Jacqui, a BSL interpreter who has been interpreting what other people are saying since she was a child. Now she’s speaking in her own words and she has plenty to say.
Karen Spicer
as Karen
Karen Spicer plays Karen, a frustrated slam poet who’s spent a lifetime fighting… 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’… 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… 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, Captioning, 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
Deepa Shastri BSL Consultant
Caroline Parker BSL Interpreter Finale
Binita Wadia, Press and PR
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.
A Big Thank You
We are deeply grateful to everyone who has contributed their time creativity and energy to bring this show to life.
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.
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.
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-Hoffman
- Kath Newman
- Kim Byford
- Laurel Alberta Beckford nee Johnson-Frith
- Melanie Sramek-Bennett
- Doreen Hodgson
- Monica Silkenas
- Omeima Mudawi-Rowlings MBE
- Podington Bear
- Sarah Johnson
- Sarah Saeed
- Scarlett Hodgson
- Shiloh-Rosh Ijoyemi
- Sharon Schofield
- Swimmin Wimmin of Swanage – Swim Club
- Tom Strudwick
- Tor Lloyd
- Winnie Apollo-Schubert
- Yvonne Beckford
- Zuri Rose Mpaka
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.
