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.

Sybil,

I will readily admit that as the creator of the soundscape for and the partner of the Director of this production, I have been involved with "The Vagina Monologues" from it's conception and I will also admit that "Yes" you do have a right to your own view point and opinion, but I feel that if you wish to continue airing your view, then you should do so under your OWN login to the site.

Please leave your father-in-law's login to him so that, at the least, you will save us from confusion and yourself from having to explain who you are.

Be adventurous... create your own account, who knows.... one of these days you may actually have something to say that you can be proud of!

I am sorry if you did not find this production to your tastes, but (and pardon me for saying this) I have been in attendance at every showing of this production and I have not noticed anyone being dragged into Hackett Hall kicking and screaming or accompanied by an armed escort, so I am thinking that you came to see the show of your own free will.

Working with this thought a little further, I can only also assume that you were free to leave at any time you wished...... So please dont bleat and tell us how immoral and sinful we are for bringing what can only be described as a world famous (or perhaps infamous) play to PlayLovers.

Regardless of opinions, good or bad, in the words of Oscar Wilde (recently quoted by a very dear friend of my partner and I) "ANY publicity is good publicity."

Thankyou for adding to ours. 

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.