VAGINA MONOLOGUES

I was refrainging from commenting on this thread but Neville, you asked for a review so I thought I'd share something a bit more constructive for you to ponder. I saw the piece last Friday night with a couple of non-theatre going friends (not all women either btw). It was a most enjoyable night out really. I'd read the piece last year sometime - I did contemplate it for my TEE but long story short decided against it. So I was very familiar with the play and being female thought I was familiar with the content matter as well. The play is provocative - no doubt about it - and I think it shall remain so for a long time yet. There are frankly issues society does not want to discuss and these monologues are designed to combat that - well in my belief anyway. They are an example of theatre that forces people to think and I wish there was a little more of it out there. The show itself was beautifully presented and I can imagine the fun discussions the girls in the cast would have had whilst rehearsing each monologue. They looked like they were enjoying themselves on that stage and they connected well with the audience. The audience was quite responsive to the pieces. The monologue touch on many issues surrounding women, sexuality and identity using various emotions to reach the audience. The music chosen to fill time between each monologue was appropriate and I sat there with my friends singing along with it. The pieces were well timed and put in what appeared a well thought out order. I have little to fault except the minor tongue tied sentences which were hastily covered up and just as hastily forgotten by the audience. The only thing I thought was risky in this piece was the "Water VillagE" monologue about the girl from the Bosnian Concentration camp. I'm not saying I didn't enjoy the piece. It was very well done and very moving. No, this is in more relation to myself because I am currently working on a play from the same time period and the same war and previous discussion on respect for these people and this event were well placed and recent in my mind. I thought the accent was beautiful and the head scarf was done with the utmost respect - it's more a personal relation then anything. To sum up: I enjoyed it. My friends enjoyed it. The audience - from what I could tell - enjoyed it. Our favourite piece was the "moaning" piece and my friend now has a little more respect for the "C" word. So it's worth a look if your up to night that will make you think. Question and search within yourself for answers. Very well done and my congratulations to everyone involved. ~ Tari The Writer is a child forever listening at the keyhole of the adult world.