The Vagina Monologues (1996) by Eve Ensler is a play comprising a series of interviews based on female sexuality taken from women from around the world. It is an account of their deepest fears and desires.

Chained mirror decorations fall back onto modest pink drapes framing a delicate, feminine sanctuary. Colorful cushions soften the intimate set, a warm, welcoming ambience with an Arabian charm. A pine balcony canopies three of the surrounding walls, one of which holds the musicians. The show opens to the beat of Michelle Cornelius - pretty in pink - on the djembe drum - to which a zesty tribe of dancing women gleefully enter. Most of the women have some pink in their clothes - from smart-casual to glamorous evening wear - a subtle tie uniting them to each other and the space. Because The Vagina Monologues are real accounts, the language has striking reality and universal truths which are often extremely funny.

The Vagina Workshop performed by Naomi Paxton reveals one woman's self-discovery unfolding the complex layers of her sexuality. She delivers the monologue of the evening - a jaw-dropping performance which is demure, raunchy and unfathomably passionate. The Vagina Monologues are very funny, but also contain moving accounts of incomprehensible violence in sexual acts against women. After flooding the stage with exciting secrets, Jenny Stokes highlights all that is wrong in the world with My Angry Vagina - a fantastic rant making strong points, including a woman's tendency to conform, no matter how uncomfortable this may be. Jo Southwell shares an endearing monologue about one woman's surprising sexual partner and his uniquely enlightened view of the world - coy and gritty, emancipating and witty.

A key monologue retrieves an otherwise insulting word and makes it the narrator's own. She takes ownership of cunt, and liberates it. It's no longer insulting and becomes enjoyed, a safe place for people to cheer and revel the in the glory of this new-found adjective at the top of their lungs. Unmissable is the unspoken dialogue between these women - an evident compassion: a knowing smile, an affectionate shoulder pat on leaving the stage. The cast show a sense of delight in performance which is joyful to watch. And to be included in: a cohesive enjoyment circulates from cast to audience and back again, raising a sea of excitement.

Cast Credits: (alpha order): Michelle Cornelius. Kristel Elling. Shirley Hafey. Jane Hardcastle. Ciara Jenson. Naomi Paxton. Tiffany Saul. Jo Southwell. Jenny Stokes. Phillipa Tozer. Naomi Vallance.

Company Credits: Writer - Eve Ensler. Director - Maggie Inchley. Lighting Designer - uncredited. Musical Director - Phillipa Tozer. Technical Operator - Harvey Richardson. Producer - uncredited. Company - Aston Productions.

END

(c) Jenny Glithero 2009

reviewed Thursday 23 July 2009/ Hotel du Vin, Canata Room, Henley, UK

Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012

www.fringereport.com