Interview: Laughing Through the Absurdity of Self-Help

Kathryn Haywood on YOGA & SEX… for women (over 40)

The world of self-help has changed a lot since the 1960s – or has it? Kathryn Haywood’s hit comedy YOGA & SEX… for women (over 40) takes a hilariously sharp look at the outdated wisdom of yesteryear, bringing to life real-life advice from vintage self-help books in a way that has audiences howling with laughter.

Ahead of her final London performance at The Hen and Chickens Theatre, we caught up with Kathryn to talk about yoga (or lack thereof), the power of taking creative risks, and why you don’t need to be a woman, over 40, or even sexual to enjoy the show.

Wonderful to meet you Kathryn, so what’s your roles in the show?

I’m performer, writer, and producer of YOGA & SEX… for women (over 40).

Where are you playing, and why that venue?

I’ll be performing at The Hen & Chickens Theatre in Islington. This will be the final show of my tour, and since I first opened the show there in November 2023, it feels right to bring it full circle.

What can audiences expect from the show?

Lots of laughter, an insight into the world of 1960s Australian self-help books, and surprisingly little yoga.

What was the inspiration behind the show?

As well as being a performer, I’ve been a yoga teacher for the last 15 years. I came across Yoga for Women by Nancy Phelan and Michael Volin on a pub bookshelf and couldn’t believe what I was reading. I knew I had to do something with it, but I wasn’t sure what. Then I discovered they also wrote Sex & Yoga and Yoga Over 40, and not long after that, YOGA & SEX… for women (over 40) was born.

What is it about your character that you most enjoy?

I love being Kath in the show. She’s not embarrassed about saying what she feels, and she’s not afraid of messing up. She just picks herself up again and carries on. Everyone is a potential friend, and she sees the positive in every situation. She just wants to find her place in the world. I’ve learned a lot from her!

What do you hope audiences think about your character?

I’ve had so much positive feedback after each show. Audiences really feel a connection with Kath and want to be her friend.

How important is audience interaction to you?

The show relies on audience interaction. It means that every show is different, and I can never relax or turn on autopilot.

What do you hope the audience thinks after watching the show?

Throughout the show, we all have a good laugh at the outdated attitudes towards women, our bodies, and our appearance. But the thing is, not much has changed at all since the 1960s.

Who do you imagine enjoying the show the most?

The show inevitably attracts women over 40 who practice yoga, but it’s enjoyed by everyone—and men are encouraged (and needed!).

Are there any plans for what comes next after the show has finished its run?

This is the final London performance of YOGA & SEX… for women (over 40) for the foreseeable future. However, I’m currently working on my next show, MAGIC & SEX, which will be running at Camden Fringe in August. The same character has ditched the yoga mat and delved into the art of illusion! And sex.

What are the most important lessons you’ve learned from preparing for and participating in this show?

Just do it. If I’ve learned one thing, it’s that if you want something done, you have to take responsibility and make it happen. No one is going to do it for you.

I’ve just found out I’m an Offies Finalist in the OffFest category, which is incredible news considering this is a completely self-produced show. I’ve had no backing or help whatsoever. I’ve done all of this off my own back, and it’s the scariest but most worthwhile thing I’ve ever done.

Will you be frequenting the bar after your show, and if so, are you hoping people might stay to ask you about the show?

Yes! I love chatting with people after the show. Most people ask if I made up the excerpts from the books I read out, and I take great pleasure in getting the books out and letting people flick through them. They really are AWFUL.

What’s the weirdest or most unconventional prop used in your show, and how did it come to be part of the production?

A banana. A girl’s gotta eat.

If budget or reality was not an issue, what’s the one piece of scenery/set you’d love to have in your show?

I’d love to be able to project the pages from the books onto a big screen so people could see that what I’m reading is really in there. And the photos in the books are incredible.

What’s the most valuable piece of advice you’ve received during your career, and how has it influenced your work on this show?

My New Year’s resolutions over the last three years have evolved from “Stop being so scared of everything” to “Just bloody do it!” and now for 2025, it’s “Keep doing it!!”

Oh, and “only drink fine wine” (IYKYK).

Thank you for talking to us, Kathryn. We promise to never underestimate the power of a pub bookshelf—or the comedic potential of a banana. Finally, good luck at the Offies!

YOGA & SEX…for women (over 40) plays at The Hen and Chickens Theatre on Sunday 30 March.