Photography: Lara Macgregor
When you look up the word “resilient” in the dictionary, you could well see a picture of Dunedin funnywoman Harriet Moir, who’s faced the difficult diagnosis of a voice disorder head on.
“I’ve always been a performer and storyteller, although originally I trained as an opera singer,” she tells.
“I did the singing degree at the University of Auckland, which led to further studies in Queensland, so I was shocked to notice the first signs of losing my voice four years ago.”
Ever since she was in her first play at primary school, the writer-actress-comedian’s life had revolved around her speaking ability, so she was devastated to learn she might be unable to talk.
“Finding a diagnosis wasn’t straightforward,” she admits.
“I spiralled into a deep grief and depression because I thought my career was over.”
Eventually diagnosed with spasmodic dysphonia, which occurs when a neurological pathway from the brain to the vocal cords is disrupted, Harriet counts herself lucky to have found a doctor with expertise in this rare condition.
“I see my specialist every three months and she gives me Botox in what are called my false vocal cords,” she says.
“This keeps my voice going. Instead of my career ending, my work has become more interesting and precious.”
Stress and struggle
As for the cause of the disorder, Harriet believes it was brought on by years of sustained stress during an unhealthy marriage.
“I’d been in a deeply toxic relationship, then a gruelling Family Court battle, which all took its toll,” she shares.
“We don’t talk enough about how our bodies keep score and how women’s health is often compromised when we’re under stress or busy caring for others.”
Juggling work & motherhood
Today, the determined 48-year-old juggles work with being a full-time mum to her daughters Bea, 16, and Margot, 14.
Harriet says, “I’ve had full custody since 2020, which leads to a never-ending stream of mishaps and misadventures, but we muddle through by being able to laugh at ourselves.”
She has the unique ability to make a joke where others might cry.
“It’s not always easy, but I want to be a positive role model for my daughters.”
Career spotlight
Harriet also works as a comedian, an MC, guest speaker and a marriage celebrant. She has even written a cheeky one-woman show called Just Eat The Damn Sausage, which won Best Comedy at last year’s Dunedin Fringe.
“It’s all about my ageing female body and the years of energy I wasted critiquing myself, before arriving at a place of acceptance,” she says.
“It’s played all over the South Island and in Auckland. I especially appreciated the review that said how I manage to intersplice the story of my life with many very funny references to fellatio.”
Taking the stage
With the hilarious and thought-provoking show coming to the Hamilton Arts Festival this month, Harriet’s mildly concerned about how her mother and her mum’s friends will receive it. But she vows she won’t censor herself or her show.
“It’s full of jokes and anecdotes about rejecting the pressures we’re under as women to look a certain way,” she reveals.
“I’m forever frustrated by the ways women are kept disempowered, and the years of our lives we spend worrying about food and our bodies, not to mention the money we shell out to maintain impossible beauty standards.”
Harriet also hopes her daughters will learn to live free of self-judgement.
Teaching her daughters self-acceptance
“Although despite my best efforts to never dwell on body image at home, the girls are still influenced by the outside world,” she admits.
“I can’t single-handedly keep them safe from the toxicity of social media and influencer culture.”
Her biggest win is the fact she’s reached a place of peace, carving out a career “in spite of my voice disorder”.
Harriet says, “I know about resilience and reinvention, plus I’ve created a viable career in the arts by being a versatile, authentic performer. Having left a difficult relationship, I also know about starting from scratch and rebuilding on my own terms. I couldn’t imagine my life any other way.”
Just Eat The Damn Sausage is on at the Hamilton Arts Festival on 28 February and Wellington’s Gryphon Theatre on 5-7 March. For more info and tickets, visit hamiltonartsfestival.co.nz and fringe.co.nz.
