Warning: This article contains mentions of suicidal ideation.
There comes a point for many of us when politely blending into the wallpaper becomes so infuriating and exhausting, we either give up and go home or blow up in spectacular style. For the five wild and wily Riot Women, it's a collective blow-up of dynamite proportions that involves a staple of global rebellion: punk rock (or 'PUNK RAWWWWK!' if you're so inclined).
While the five Riot Women are between 50 and 60, their stories and their individual challenges of feeling unheard and unappreciated, lacking direction, and trying to navigate friendships beyond school apply to anyone, of any gender, from 18 through the over-60s.
Taglines for the series have blurted "menopausal women" all over their headlines, which, while accurate, pigeonholes these women whose very battle is to prove they are more than a bunch of symptoms commonly lumped on women over 50. It's akin to labelling all teenagers "hormonal". Who isn't hormonal, at all times, always? It's human! What's far more interesting, and at the heart of this series, are the ways these disparate women, who haven't found friendships nor creative avenues to express themselves, come together against the odds.
In the sleepy sanctum of West Yorkshire’s Hebden Bridge, established writer Sally Wainwright brings her flawed but fearless women to our attention. She has form, of course, with Happy Valley.
In the opening scenes, Beth (Joanna Scanlan) is meticulously preparing to hang herself, having left a note for her son amongst a collection of family photos on the mantelpiece. Then, the phone rings. First it’s her selfish, snarky brother. That call ends, satisfyingly, with Beth spluttering “Asshole!” and slamming down the phone. The second call, again preventing Beth’s imminent demise, is from schoolfriend and local publican, Jess (Lorraine Ashburn). Would Beth join a rock band, for charity?
This kicks off a series of intersecting women’s stories, and the discovery of a sense of purpose and community with one another in a world that increasingly feels dominated by men at war, men robbing women of bodily autonomy, and men shouting and shaking their fists in parliament rather than addressing social cohesion. The problem with the world, as Jess informs her family at breakfast, is “men”.
A newly retired police officer, Holly (Tamsin Greig) picks up a bass guitar, her obsessive and uptight sister Yvonne (Amelia Bullmore) reluctantly tags along, and the mad, bad Kitty (Rosalie Craig) is recruited on vocals.
If there is a quibble to be had, it is only that these women are so devastated by men deceiving them, betraying them, divorcing them or ignoring them. While middle-aged male audiences will likely be thrilled that they are the impetus for women’s despair, the reality for many Australian women is that they thrive in singlehood, and this choice is on the rise. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, around 864,000 single-mother families exist. Nearly 1.5 million women live alone, and nearly half of all Australian women aged 25 to 44 are projected to be single by 2030, “marking a historic high in singlehood”.
All of this is to say, a riotous rock band of all women over 50 has many more reasons beyond men’s absence in their lives to rock out, rage and riff without mercy. Nonetheless, watching Beth, Holly, Jess, Yvonne, and Kitty master their unwieldy instruments on their own terms, in their own imperfect DIY method, and reclaim their time, their creativity, and their sense of identity beyond the narrow limitations that society have wedged them into is enormously enjoyable.
The concept is rooted in reality, so for viewers who are pepped up on riotous punk anthems and want more, there's plenty of real-life women punk rockers still making gut-wrenching, bone-rattling, genre-bounding tunes. Take 71-year-old former Raincoats bassist Gina Birch's two albums in the last 3 years, "I Play My Bass Loud" and "Trouble", both critically lauded. Take 72-year-old former Sonic Youth guitarist/bassist Kim Gordon's handful of knockout solo albums, headed by the latest "PLAY ME" in March this year. What about former Pixies bassist Kim Deal? The 64-year old released her debut solo album "Nobody Loves You More" in 2024, while original riot grrrl, 57-year-old Kathleen Hanna of Bikini Kill, Le Tigre, and The Julie Ruin, is still performing solo and with iterations of her original bands.
So, between episodes, craft yourself a playlist that celebrates the real-life riot women, who prove that punk, passion and power are not diminished by men nor menopause.
Riot Women is now streaming at SBS On Demand.
Readers seeking crisis support can ring Lifeline on 13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14, the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467 and Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 (for young people aged up to 25).
More information and support with mental health is available at beyondblue.org.au and on 1300 22 4636.
