Once Linda Nolan was in the mood for dancing with her singing sisters, The Nolans, but today the singer is in a mood about the menopause, starring in Menopause the Musical. We caught up with her ahead of two dates in Kent.

Is the menopause really something you can laugh about?

It’s a difficult time in your life to go through but you’ve got to get through it. You can still be a woman and everything that goes with it. Women like to go out and have a laugh and feel good about themselves. And they scream with laughter at this show!

Do you have to have experience the menopause to see the show?

We’re making it all right to be over 50. We get all ages. We have lots of girls who come along with their mothers – there’s a cross section.
We also get plenty of men who come along as well as they’re like, “oh this explains it!” It’s something of a learning curve for them.

What about your experiences?

I still have terrible hot flushes. That is one of the hard things to deal with. You also get weird mood swings. It’s nice that there are people who have been through it. We have so many electric fans backstage. There are about four in my dressing room. The men can’t believe it!

Were you worried about how the show would be received?

I was, but I needn’t have – on the first night, they went mad. It’s been such a laugh every night, and I can’t wait to carry on. It is an amazing show. For women of our age it is one of the best roles to play. It’s a great time in my life. I’m very happy and enjoying it.

Will any of your sisters (the Nolans) come to see the show?

We support each other when we can. We come and see each other’s plays and shows as much as we can. If we’re near we do and we try to go to the ones in London.

You were known as a singer originally in the Nolans with your sisters. Do you get to sing in the show?

There are 27 songs the show! We still know how to party. It’s great fun to do.

Do you feel like you’re getting a new lease of life in your career?

This has been my step back into showbusiness. After my husband died (Brian Hudson, who died of skin cancer in 2007) I had terrible depression but going back to showbusiness has been amazing and I am really, really enjoying it.

THE SHOW

It may not sound like a subject to laugh about, but Menopause the Musical has been hailed as hilarious by critics all over the country.

Linda Nolan, who starred with her famous singing sisters in the Nolans in the 1970s and 1980s, appears alongside EastEnders’ Cheryl Fergison, Casualty’s Rebecca Wheatley and The Al Murray Show’s Ruth Berkeley.

The all-singing, all-dancing comedy brings together four women at a department store sale, who on first appearance have nothing in common.

However, the sale of a black lace bra soon stimulates comical female heart-to-hearts on hot flushes, night sweats, memory loss, chocolate binges, not enough sex, too much sex and plastic surgery.

After leaving the Nolans in the 1980s, Linda went carve out a successful stage career, like a number of her sisters, including played Mrs Johnstone in Blood Brothers.

THE DETAILS

Menopause the Musical will be at the Orchard Theatre in Dartford on Wednesday, May 11.

To book tickets or for more information visit orchardtheatre.co.uk or call 01322 220000.

It will also be at the Central Theatre in Chatham on Tuesday, May 31. For tickets visit visitmedway.org or call 01634 338338.

The show will also be at the Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells on Thursday, June 2.
For tickets call 01892 530613 or visit assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk

And then at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley on Sunday, June 5. For tickets go to churchilltheatre.co.uk or ring 020 3285 6000.