Returning to the Kings Theatre Edinburgh for a second visit this year is the relatively new musical “Hot Flush”, about ladies of a certain age for other ‘said’ females.

I have to say it is rather scary to see oneself portrayed on stage by a quartet of superbly talented women. Although not one of the characters fully displays my faults and failings, if you take a little from Sylvia, Myra and Helen and mix it with a whole lot of Jessica you almost get me! Even down to the occasional meetings with the gorgeous and extremely talented hunk that is Sam Kane. Sam plays every male character in the lives of these women and we see him aging from a teenage stud, through a randy vicar, the errant husband, a barman, the pervy weirdo and also Mr Right, he even gets a musical number of his own which displays his fabulous voice. 

Three of the actresses are well known either through the pop world, TV or other musicals, Sheila Ferguson as Sylvia, Rula Lenska as Myra and Marti Webb as Helen. The final member of this cast is Rachel Izen as Jessica, although perhaps not as well known as the others Rachel has an impressive CV covering numerous plays, musicals, TV and films. Each lady covers various aspects of female maturity and the plague that is known as ‘going through the Menopause’ the side effects and problems that come with or are blamed upon ‘the change’!

The laughs come thick and fast through the brilliant script, the hilarious lyrics of the musical numbers, the visual comedy, the talents of the performers, the costumes from minimal to ‘Oh my Gawd’, the storylines and their interactions also probably the realisation we are actually laughing at ourselves and the things we do or have done!

Lets face it ladies if we can’t laugh at ourselves who can we laugh at?

This is definitely one for the girls but it might just open the eyes of any long suffering partners or spouses

A more in-depth review of the storyline can be found in my first review of “Hot Flush” from April 2007.

‘The Hormonettes’ otherwise known as the very live band, are still all female but are now Louisa Ridgway, Hannah Mitchell, Annette Van Dyk and Katy Lipson.

The three understudies are Anne Smith Tina Thomas and Philip Andrew.

Definitely a show for the girls and would be an absolutely amazing start to a night out on the town or weekend away.