Tough Old Bird

Tough Old Bird is an original play on a subject that is close to my heart......on ageing and how are society perceives us as we get old.

Inspired by my very close friend Pat Waller who passed away shortly after her 80th birthday, the show combines live original music, storytelling, song and getting very angry with adverts telling us to "look young" to challenge modern culture of being told that we're too old to be seen! Why? Because we're worth it!

From Nana Funk, the great-great-grandmother of good times, comes a heartfelt musical journey of exploration, inspired by real life events and stories. Tough Old Bird explores how women are viewed in society as they have the absolute gall to get older! Have you ever noticed those adverts promising to ‘defy the effects of ageing’? Ooh Nana hates them. What about when we get old? Where’s the instruction manual? Who deems what is ‘acceptable behaviour’? What happens when your voice isn’t listened to, or you become slowly invisible?

The Story So Far

Tough Old Bird was previously been performed as part of a Research & Development show at Unity Theatre, Liverpool to an invited audience in association with the amazing Paperwork Theatre. This was made possible thanks to public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England and The Awesome Foundation, Liverpool. Check out the photos in my gallery.

In 2022 I was super excited to receive further funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England to further this journey of challenging stigmas surrounding the female ageing process and to challenge how women are treated & punished for daring to age by being pressured to stay looking young.

I worked with an amazing team to create a full show which premiered at Unity Theatre, Liverpool before going on a short tour to the brand spanking new Shakespeare North, Knowsley and Widnes Studio.

Check out the fantastic reviews from North West End UK and Opening Nights

Following a tour in 2024 to Unity Theatre (Liverpool), Pyramid Arts Centre (Warrington), Leeds Playhouse, Norton Priory (Runcorn), Newton Le Willows Library, Lancashire Fringe Festival, Shakespeare North Playhouse (Prescot) and Ripon Theatre Festival in March 2025, Tough Old Bird is now fully available for booking. For further details please contact nanafunkrocks@gmail.com.

More fabulous reviews from Made Up Liverpool and Arthur Chappell.

Trigger warnings: The show touches on the themes of death, grief and horrible bits about ageing. Not a lot, but I always think forewarned and all that.

Photos by AB Photography