The title is a pun.
Menstruation.
It’s one of the things we’re not allowed to talk about. Ok, my modality is too high; it’s one of the things we’re reluctant to talk about.
Why?
Because it’s a bodily function? Because it’s related to sex and reproduction? Because it’s female?
One of the best skits in this revue-style production has two men in a gym bragging about their periods; whose is the biggest, whose is the most painful. It’s glorious satire in the if-men-could-have-babies-abortion-would-be-a-sacrament vein.
Another wonderful skit posits a female astronaut – calm, cool, strong, and clearly the best candidate – who’s rejected from the space program because where are they going to fit to all those tampons. “Don’t make us have to say it,” she’s told.
Created by Carissa Licciardello, Gretel Vella and the company, there’s some absolutely wonderful comic writing in this snappy hour long piece. The performances by Julia Robertson, James Wright, Matthew Lee and Julia Christensen are comic gold. And original songs from a three piece band (Mikaela Atallah, Hannah Cheers and Clare Hennessy) create a satisfying texture and provide plenty of giggles.
Of course, everyone is dying to know what this male writer thinks about menstruation. Why is menstrual blood so problematic? After all, there are few healthier ways to lose blood, and we seem to have little problem soaking our screens with the more violent manners of doing so. Is it because the natural cycle of menstruation is a reminder (one of many, and, yes, a reminder to us all) that we are not superior to the earth, but of it?
Paul Gilchrist
A Period Piece
produced by Glitterbomb
at Old 505 until 25 March
Tix and info here here
Theatre Red 
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