Debbie Baisden is an Essex pub landlady, actress, writer, and comedian best known as the creator and performer of the hit UK comedy show The Menopause Party. Combining live performance with real-world women's health research, her work pioneers a format she calls "menopause edutainment" to break down the social stigmas and taboos surrounding aging and female health.
At the age of 46, after running a mobile bar company, after installing a beer keg on the set of EastEnders, Debbie decided to pursue her childhood dream of acting and stage performance. Drawing from her real life in the hospitality industry, she developed a bold, fearless stage presence.
Aside from touring UK theatres and corporate workshops, she is a regular guest on BBC Essex and appeared on Channel 4’s Naked Education to discuss the realities of aging and women's bodies.
Directed by comedy coach Chris Head, Menopause Party is a one-woman show that blends stand-up comedy, diary entries, poetry, sing-alongs, and audience interaction. Baisden drives the show through a cast of original comedic caricatures Dolly Slatemen and Judge Mental.
In this episode, Joyce talks to comedian, actress, writer and pub landlady Debbie Baisden, creator of the hit show The Menopause Party. Debbie is helping to make conversations about menopause more open, inclusive and accessible.
They discuss how Debbie transformed her own menopause experience into an award-winning blend of comedy and education, using unforgettable characters to tackle taboo topics, spark conversations, and help audiences feel less alone. Debbie reflects on the power of humour to break down barriers, the importance of involving audiences in discussions about menopause, and why men need to be part of the conversation too.
They also explore menopause misinformation, pressures around ageing, audience reactions to the show, and how performance can be a powerful tool for health education. Debbie shares some of her most memorable moments on stage and offers thoughtful advice on staying curious, challenging boundaries, and embracing new opportunities at any age.
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A podcast covering all things relating to women’s health, from Professor Joyce Harper, UCL EGA Institute for Women’s Health.
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