Review: 'It Could be You - The menopause lottery' by Catherine Pestano

As part of the CroydonBuilds programme, the second stage of a three-part commissioning pathway, Catherine Pestano warmly welcomes the audience as if inviting us into her living room for a chat, guiding us through the realities of “winning the menopause lottery.” Dressed in vibrant colours and carrying a collection of equally colourful bags, she steps on stage after an informative podcast segment that brings us up to speed on the dilemmas menopausal women face.

Her calm, soothing presence contrasts beautifully with the chaos she unpacks, both literally and emotionally. With two tables flanking her, she reveals an array of books and photographs that reflect the deep yearning women feel to be understood during menopause. Among them is Red Moon Passage by Bonnie J. Horrigan, which she describes as almost the bible for menopause. At times, her gentle tone was a little hard to catch, so it was a relief when she brought the microphone on for part of the performance.

While much of the piece feels like an informative workshop, she punctuates it with sharply funny and painfully relatable scenes depicting NHS appointments. She brings us into the experience, playing the daunting doctor, and the light shines on us as we play the wondering “patients”. These moments end in dismissal and oversimplified advice, capturing the all too common frustration of women who leave those rooms unseen and unheard.

In a poignant moment towards the end, Pestano retrieves a small broken mirror, its cracks painted maroon red. Reflecting on it, she shares, “Can’t see myself anymore, not fully,” before softly adding, “Do I want to?” We smile, recognising the quiet power of acceptance, and leave not only moved but far more informed about the realities and resilience that come with the menopause journey.

'It could be you - the menopause lottery' was presented at The Front Froom on Thursday 16 October.