Who says ‘women of a certain age’ are too old for careers, sex, and a banging social life – let alone a laugh? Flip and Maggie use camped up costume changes and narratives to produce a full and lively theatrical experience laced with black comedy that questions whether or not middle aged women are an endangered species.
“We haven’t all ended up in twin sets and pearls, staying at home watching telly!” exclaimed Maggie Bourgein, one half of the duo Women of an Uncertain Age. Together with her co-writer, performer and friend, Flip Webster, they point a sharp and witty finger at the current status of older women; feeling that too often older people, older women in particular, are misrepresented as the long-suffering stereotypes and victims of crime portrayed on television. They shine light on this fallacy with their satirical insights and often slapstick delivery illustrating what their age-group are really up to.
Flip has worked in all media, notably the BAFTA award-winning Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, and the hit BBC Radio 4 sitcom Cabin Pressure. Maggie has worked extensively in theatre including productions of Oh Calcutta! and Blue Angel, and with the cabaret act Topping and Butch.
When Alistair McGowan saw Flip and Maggie in Edinburgh he said: “The show hits some refreshingly different targets and, at last, provides something (many things) for the over-50s to empathize with.”
Yet the show is in no way exclusive, as Maggie and Flip say: “We wanted to create the sort of comedy we would like to see. Some people seem to think that because we’ve got women in the title that our show may be anti-men. No, we don’t knock men at all.” One member of the audience even stated, “Worryingly my 16-year-old son got all the jokes!”
After sell out performances at Theatre Fest, Ignite and Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the fantastic responses they have continued to receive from their audiences whilst performing at the Canal Café Theatre, the duo realised they were potentially filling a gap in the comedy market. Broadway Baby’s five star review brought this home to them by describing the pair as ‘on a par with French and Saunders’.
Come and see for yourself the enjoyment to be gained from watching Women of an Uncertain Age. A hilarious, pertinent and unique comedy sketch show about older people in society at the Canal Cafe Theatre 26th – 29th November at 7:15PM or Tristan Bates Theatre, Covent Garden, WC2H 9NP 3rd & 4th December 1:00PM. For more information click here!
