I’m enjoying The Change
Bridget Christie in The Change. Photo: Channel 4
Have to admit that I wasn’t initially up for a sitcom about menopause. The Change, Channel 4’s new series, written by and starring the award-winning actor, writer and comedian, Bridget Christie. While it’s important that everyone is finally acknowledging this stage of a woman’s life, at 59-and-a-half, I feel a bit, er, over it. Of course, I have had words with myself. How many times do we see interesting, midlife women on TV, in main character roles? OK, OK. Happy Valley, And Just Like That, Mare of Easttown – things are improving but we’re still outnumbered by men in their 40s, 50s and beyond. Anyhow. Preconceptions aside, I’m enjoying The Change.
The show is funny and warm – and weird. I haven’t watched all the episodes but it can get a bit League of Gentleman at times (episode three, the village meeting). But, thankfully it doesn’t bang on about menopause, and the more different types of middle-aged women we see on TV, the better.
Bridget Christie plays Linda, a 50-year-old menopausal mum and retail worker with two teenage kids and a clueless husband, Steve. Having totted up all the minutes she’s spent doing housework and other stuff in a cupboard-full of notebooks ( ‘Sex with Steve: one minute 20 seconds), Linda takes her old motorbike out of the garage (not a euphemism) and decides to reclaim the time she’s owed.
Taking off on a road trip, she ends up living in a scuzzy caravan in a village in the Forest of Dean – this is where it gets a bit Royston Vasey. Christie is supported by other great comedy actors, including: Paul Whitehouse, Tanya Moodie (Meg from Motherland), Susan Lynch (Killing Eve, Happy Valley) and Liza Tarbuck. And, there are laugh out loud moments, my favourite line so far:
‘The Hulk is the only menopausal role model in the history of TV and film.’
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Discussion (9 Comments)
Nettie K says:
I loved it! Binge watched the whole series with my (male) partner and he didn’t fall asleep! It hadn’t occurred to me until you said the words……. but yes, Royston Vasey does come to mind. Ahhh, those were the days.
Nicola Stephens says:
Thank you for bringing this show with its great cast to my attention! I had to laugh at the Forest of Dean/Royston Vasey reference. I lived in London for over thirty years before moving to Bristol five years ago. The Forest of Dean is a beautiful part of the country not far from Bristol and I have heard some tales of some of the characterful people who live there.
Crystal says:
Motorbike euphemism LOLLLL wish this were available in the US, I think I’d enjoy it
Cassie Maund-Powell says:
The Change is wonderful. Incredibly poignant and heartwarming. This is filmed fairly near me in The Forest of Dean, it captures the unique nature of forest life but they also feature Boss Morris and all female troupe from Stroud. Fantastic to hear local accents and I love the diversity she has injected into the show. One of my favourite bits in the show is when her husband, reading one of her job logs, says “lampshades get dusty!?” hahaha excellent and yeah babe they do!!
Mrs Tonia says:
I followed this recommendation and started to watch on iPlayer. Not for me. I knew her name and as wife of Stewart Lee whose columns I read.
Pat 
Goddessinthedetails 
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Absolutely loving it too!