In 1996 Eve Ensler put together a series of monologues culled from hundreds
of interviews with women about the one final thing that women are reluctant
to talk about, their 'downstairs bits'. The result is a funny, sad and sometimes
downright horrific piece of theatre performed on a bare set by 3 women. The
linked monologues are all either real conversations or amalgams of several
conversations. Being a man I didn't seem to connect with the majority of the
audience who frequently whooped in what I took to be recognition. However,
there were enough laughs to keep even the most misogynous of men amused.
The laughs are carefully balanced with a couple of horror stories like the
tale of the survivors of the Bosnian Rape Camps. But, far from bringing the
evening down they are there to bring a counterpoint to the life, loves and
heartbreaks of the Vagina. Women of all classes, creeds and religions should
see it; and all men should swallow their instinctive nervousness and watch
and learn.
The Vagina Monologues is on at De Montfort Hall, Leicester until 13th September.
© Paul Towers 9/9/2003
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