VAGINA MONOLOGUES

VAGINA MONOLOGUES PERTH SOLD OUT. THIS PLAYLOVERS PRODUCTION WILL SELL OUT AND THE PRODUCTION HAS ONLY JUST COMMENCED. SUNDAY 19TH STARTING AT 7PM STILL HAS QUITE A NUMBER OF SEATS AVAILABLE, PAY AT THE DOOR OR PHONE 0415 777 173, BUT THE REMAINDER OF THE RUN ONLY HAS LIMITED SINGLE SEATS AVAILABLE. DON'T MISS OUT.

Went to see this last night with my wife. Well done to cast and crew on a great performance. Hilarious at times and extremely moving at others, well told and complimented by simple yet effective audio and lighting. If you can manage to get tickets to this it is definately worth going to have a look. Same cost as going to the pub for a couple of beers and in my opinion far better value and a much more enjoyable night out. Cheers Richard

I saw Eve Mensler the actor/author perform this show and it left me cold and shocked, If this is considered entertaining and the new theatre art its not for me.I was persuaded to see it with a group of friends at Playlovers and we all felt it was awful. The shock value was in the sordid dialogue,We thought it was going to be uplifting, emotional, thought prevoking.it left us disgusted, and embarrassed, that four actors would sit on a stage and speak such filth.20 years ago you wouldnt have been allowed to stand on a stage and perform this, you would have been arrested for indecency, whats the world coming to when people consider this an acceptable form of entertainment.

please note evelyn is not the author of this comment, but a family member.

Re "Evelyn's" comments - please note that there is no nudity, smoking or language that one can't find in the Oxford Dictionary, in the show. I'm not sure what the motivation is for the damning comments. If one isn't moved, entertained, challenged by this show, then this possibly says something about the incapacity of the "viewer" to grasp ideas, concepts, understand at times complex issues. I haven't seen this particular performance of the Vagina Monologues - but have seen TEN other Vag Mon shows. It is an extremely well-written play.

ones "incapacity' to grasp ideas ,concepts and understand complex issues, wow how hard is it to undertsand? talking about shaving off pubic hair and the resulting rash? talking about what a vagina smells like (thats hard to grasp)talking about what a vagina would wear, now thats a complex issue!talking about female ejeculation and staining the car seat,what a concept! reclaiming the "C" word, oh,yes can understand that one! I could go on but I wont, I have a right to an opinion,as for extremely well written, thats your opinion, and yes I know Eve won an award, that means nothing to me,Awards are given every day with differing opinions on if they were deserved or not, thats not the issue here, I just believe this show could have been a forum for those who want to discuss this sort of thing, not diguised as a play (Monologues) yes I know Eve interviewed women and these are the results of her research, for me its not interesting,entertaining,or challenging if it had been about cancer of the vagina, ways to cure it or awareness, not a lesbian talking about how she enjoys eating it (another item on the agender) I would have embraced it as would have my friends. please also note evelyn is the name used by another family member on this website and not the author of this or previous comments I am Sybil evelyns daughter=in=law.

Taurean ( I wonder why you dont use your real name) its a crime people can't air thier views withour being shot down, when you decided to put on" Vagina monologues show" or participate in it, you must have realised, the reviews will not all be favourable, not every-one will like the content of the show, I for one didnt enjoy it and felt quite uncomfortable I would have walked out with the couple next to me ( who also didn't like the show and left), But I was with a group of friends and decided to grin and bare it! I think Sybil was brave to give her review and I respect her for having the courage to do so. So lets be fair and accept this show isnt the greatest for every-one who see's it. By the way Carol Coulter is my REAL NAME.

Carol, do you realise that all you have to do is to click on the name at the top of the posting to find out all you could want to know about the person writing the post? There is no secrecy involved, everyone who posts regularly has a login name, we all know who Taurean is. Now, to identify myself for you. I am Sue Hayward, and I directed the show in question - The Vagina Monologues. None of us who have been involved in the show expected for one minute that everyone would enjoy it. I don't expect - or want - people who are not enjoying it to stay! By all means walk out! Several people walk out every night. That is their right. But far more people stay, and those people DO enjoy it, and tell me so every performance. I am always happy to get feedback from an audience, whether it is favourable or not. You have every right to express your views, I have every right to put on any production I, and the theatre in question, choose.

I could be wrong, but isn't the point of this show that the debate/discussion caused brings us to a new understanding of and relationship with women? Women have vaginas, men have penises. The difference is that there is very little issue with the discussion of the penis, at least amongst men. The vagina, however, is off limits. Our 'bits' are critical to who we are, our sexuality and our identity. The ability to get out there and discuss them, and remove the mystique gives us real capacity to make considered and powerful choices about our own lives. This 'play' causes you to engage, that's right people -engage- with the subject. There is no hiding, there is no changing the channel. You are forced to actively engage with this uncomfortable topic. The fact that some people are horrified by the subject matter totally encapsulates the power of this script. I personally loved it when I saw it previously (not getting to this performance). I had to scream the c word right next to my mother in law, who was also getting into it with gusto! It empowered our relationship. I can also understand that many will be simply disgusted by it. I am personally more horrified that someone is offended by rude words in 2007, a world where we see people brutally murdered on our TV screens on a daily basis. Where are our morals really?! (I seem to remember that the world was disgusted by Elvis Presley/the Beatles/other various bands throughout history, Shakespeare at times, Mozart, and the famous line- frankly my dear, I don't give a damn...) It again reminds me that there is still a large percentage of our population that believe that the performing arts are about 'entertainment', not that they are actually about challenging and engaging us as human beings. Sometimes this is fun, sometimes outright harrowing. Simply- you don't like it, it offends you? Get out. Go home. Stop behaving like a 5 year old and doing something because you were 'forced to'. Adults make their own choices, are responsible for them (what did you think something called the Vagina Monologues would be about?!), and don't complain when it goes the way it does. You did point out you'd seen the show before... I mean really- grow up! On another point- Could we have someone out there willing to review the actual performances? I'm interested to see how it is going. Neville It's the simple things stupid...

If theatre is just about enjoyment and being entertained then maybe you should stick to going to see musicals and farces. Something that doesn’t challenge you, any issues, your views or your comfort level. Do you only want to be an audience member that sits back and gives a clap at the end? Think, feel, question, investigate your own inner monologue. Embrace the experience/affect. 'Our limitations are only leveled by our own ignorance'. JennyFer

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.