Created by Lucy Peach
Review by Greta Abbey
In Lucy Peach’s “My Greatest Period Ever,” Peach offers an alternative look at the menstrual cycle, a view that praises the period cycle in all of its iterations, from what Peach calls the “dream” portion of the cycle (the first five days) to the “take” portion (the tail end of a 28ish-day cycle). The menstrual cycle, in “My Greatest Period Ever,” is portrayed as something that adds to one’s life and enhances it rather than detracting from it, and it does not adhere to any dated stigmas associated with the menstrual cycle.
The show is set on a relatively bare stage, with a screen as a backdrop. The screen works as a projector for Peach’s husband Richard Berney’s “doodles” (he is referred to as a “menstrual doodler” in the show), as he draws live illustrations throughout the show to enhance whatever Peach is talking about at the time. A unique use of the “doodling” occurs when Peach anoints random audience members as “queens” of whatever stage in their menstrual cycle they happen to be in on that day, i.e. “dream queen” or “give queen.” Berney subsequently sketches a likeness of the audience member that is projected and honoured onstage. It is one of the many moments of connection between the audience and the performers and is complete with capes, crowns, and chocolate for the participants.
Peach’s soaring vocals on her self-written folk songs, peppered throughout this production, are a welcome break from the more educational aspects of the show. She can also easily connect with the audience, due in part to the heavy audience participation that this show relies on, even offering a shoulder massage to one audience member.
“My Greatest Period Ever” feels deeply personal yet impersonal; it is not so much a theatre piece as a pleasant TED talk. However, it is an educational and often entertaining way to approach the menstrual cycle. Though this type of storytelling may not be for everyone, the slant in which Peach approaches the menstrual cycle alone is worth the ticket.
Review by Greta Abbey (contact@corrblimey.uk)
Greta recently graduated with a degree in English Language and Literature from the University of Edinburgh, where she spent a large majority of her time doing all things theatre, including acting, choreographing, and writing, as well as less artistic tasks such as delegating and bossing people around as the President of Shakespeare Society. Greta is deeply passionate about the performing arts, having trained as a professional ballet dancer with the Joffrey Ballet and studied acting and improv at Second City Chicago prior to attending university. She will continue her studies at LAMDA, where she is pursuing an MFA in professional acting.
