WHAT causes women of a certain age to suffer cold sweats, hot flushes, hormones that rage like tsunamis and mood swings that make them as predictable as the British weather?

It’s the menopause – but a celebrity trio are out to prove ‘the change’ is nothing to be down in the dumps about.

EastEnders’ Cheryl Fergison, Maureen Nolan, from The Nolan Sisters, Casualty’s Rebecca Wheatley and Copy Cats’ Hilary O’Neil are now starring in Menopause The Musical.

Jeanie Linders’ production has quickly become one of the stage world’s surprise hits since its debut in Florida in 2001.

Cheryl, Maureen and Rebecca describe it as ‘therapy for the soul’ and reckon the musical’s success can be put down to the way it captures the mood of so many.

“This show simply had to be made,” said Cheryl, who is on her third tour with the show.

“It tells you it’s okay to talk about the subject and I’m delighted because I’m going through the menopause myself at the moment.

“You see, until you do you have no idea it’s such a big thing.

“Suddenly I’m sprouting a moustache. I could do Movember, (the movement which encourages men to grow moustaches.)

“I’ve never been one for creams, but I’m looking at them now and thinking: ‘Is this going to make me firmer? Is this going to take my beard off?’”

Cheryl also thinks the songs are an essential part of the show.

The 52-year-old said: “There are songs about getting older and the inevitability of your body shape changing.

“And I love the fact this show reminds everyone that the menopause makes you emotional. I’m not an emotional person but now I am tearing up, all the time, over nothing at all.”

Maureen added: “The timing is great for this show. Women just seemed to be desperate for a great night out. Menopause The Musical entertains with 23 songs such as I Will Survive, but re-written with comedy lyrics.

“And it doesn’t make light of the menopause, rather it shows you can tackle the raging hot sweats with humour and honesty.

“I certainly don’t mind anyone knowing I have to have fans in my dressing room, even when it’s cold.

“But what’s really great about this show is that women come up to you and say: ‘Thank you for making it okay to be over 50.’

“And if men do come to the show, they will understand why their wife, on occasion, has tried to kill them.”

Rebecca said: “This show won’t change your life or stop you taking your clothes off while watching telly.

“But it will guarantee you a great night out. And having a group of women in one hall all able to laugh at the changes women go through during menopause is a massively uplifting sensation.

“And here’s the thing: the menopause stage isn’t all bad.

“By the time they hit it women know so much more about themselves. They have a developed confidence, knowledge and a lovely, healthy cynicism about life.

“There was a time when women believed that with the arrival of the menopause their attractiveness departed and sex was a thing of the past. Not now!

“Years ago, I’d be having a blue rinse at this stage, not getting my hair dyed flame red.

“And who wants to surrender to middle age? Not me. I want to be a thoroughly disgraceful 50-something.”

  • Menopause the Musical is at Parr Hall on Friday. Visit pyramidparrhall.com or call 442345