By Ren Kirk
A play all about ‘down there’, hmmm. Really? What’s there to talk about? How would that make an interesting play - wouldn’t it just be a little odd and possibly uncomfortable?
Unless you have read Eve Ensler’s play, The Vagina Monologues or seen it performed before, these could be some of the thoughts floating around in your head. Come on, admit it!
After attending the second night of The Vagina Monologues at The Basement I can tell you that yes, it is a play all about Vagina’s. Secondly, it makes for a VERY interesting, thought provoking, warm and funny play. And no, there’s nothing odd or uncomfortable about it, quite the opposite in fact.
It has been 8 years since the last professional production of The Vagina Monologues in Auckland, and this time round they’ve done it with a revolving cast of 20. There are some big names making up this pool of actresses and one thing they’re definitely not lacking in is talent!
The Vagina Monologues is made up of a number of monologues brought to life by different characters ranging in age, race, ethnicity and sexuality (initially Eve Ensler performed every monologue herself).
The monologues are compelling shorts which blend together to form a tapestry of experiences tinged with sadness, anger, fear, shame, humour, hope and / or empowerment.
Last night I had the pleasure of watching Antonia Prebble, Beth Allen, Gabrielle Henderson, Jodie Rimmer and Rachel Nash. Each of these actresses brought something special and unique to the characters she played yet also had a nice synergy as a group on stage together.
With sass and spunk Antonia Prebble delivered a great monologue on the angry vagina. She listed her character’s reasons and summed up that a more vagina-friendly world would eliminate tampons, g-strings and the chilling unpleasantness of visits to the gynaecologist.
Beth Allen deftly portrayed pain, confusion and panic during one of her monologues when her character feared she’d lost her clitoris. There was a happy ending to the tale however and again Allen captured the elation and joy of her character’s freedom and empowerment.
Gabrielle Henderson was an unknown to me but now I would go to show just to watch her!
Her first standout performance was at the start of the second half and one of the most emotionally heartfelt pieces of acting I have seen recently. In a monologue that explored gang-rape as an instrument of war, Henderson elegantly delivered an incredibly moving account of her characters sense of self before and after being tortured for days.
In a highly contrasting monologue Henderson had the entire audience in hysterics. Her portrayal of a sex worker who loved to make women moan was nothing short of brilliant as she proceeded to demonstrate, amongst others; the wasp moan, the semi-religious moan, the power moan and finishing with the penultimate surprise-triple-orgasm-moan.
Jodie Rimmer was entertaining and endearing with a monologue about naming things. Firstly frogs and their naming ceremonies right through to her ’itsy bitsy’, because if a thing remained un-named it was un-tamed and unknown.
Rimmer seemed to really connect with the audience. She effortlessly developed a warm and easy rapport, making her monologues compelling and sincere.
Rachel Nash was a delightful surprise and I particularly enjoyed her monologue on ‘down there’. Nash took on the character in all her mannerisms right through to a flawless accent. She seemed to transform before our eyes and captured the characters shame and secrecy perfectly.
To further develop the camaraderie there were three audio visual cuts of well known NZ women projected onto the wall answering questions such as; what would your vagina wear and what would it say? To which there were an array of answers including; glasses, a tutu, combat boots, through to, let’s go, oh god and thank you.
Lastly the play was tied into a neat little package, ending with a tune by Julia Deans, just as it had begun with one from L.A Mitchell and started the second half with Flip Grater. Some more well known NZ women sharing with the audience.
So, don’t miss you chance to share in some great stories, an abundance of accents and plenty of laughs. Take from it what you will, but you will take something away with you.