The Vagina Monologues

GS wrote: ” ‘What the heck am I doing here?’ It’s a fair question and one we often find ourselves asking. It was certainly the first question I asked when I found myself in my first meeting as Director of The Vagina Monologues! The truth is I felt wholly unqualified to be in this position. For one simple reason and yet enormous reason – I don’t usually have a vagina! And yet; and yet ….

This is one of those scripts it is impossible to ignore. It is one of those plays that has slipped into the common cultural conscious, where it has all but ceased to be a ‘just a play’, instead becoming a byword for strong and unashamed femininity in the modern era. It is, in short, a phenomenon. Unquestionably the most notorious and well known play of the last fifteen years.

The keyword I have used above is femininity, a word I have used quite deliberately instead of feminism. I think that neatly summarises the appeal of this play, unlike much feminist theatre it has no hidden agenda, does not seek to vilify the entire male race and actually wants to entertain everyone that comes to see it.

When I first encountered this piece I found myself laughing aloud one minute and welling up with emotion the next. Most importantly, I felt included rather than excluded in the proceedings. That was when the truth of the matter hit me – this is, above all else, a brilliant piece of writing. Still that hardly qualifies me to direct the piece! So, once more, ‘What the heck am I doing here?’

Well here’s the thing – within 30 seconds of starting work on it, I felt comfortable helming this play. I feel this is because I have been blessed to know many strong brilliant women in my life and, as a consequence, have never felt intimidation when faced by powerful femininity. Besides I am here in this world thanks to a vagina so what possible good could come from being squeamish about them?

What is wonderful is that so many other people, of both genders, share my enthusiasm for this play. As such, I have been able to recruit a fabulous cast of performers and a brilliant crew all of whom match the passion I have for this piece.

Particular thanks to my partner in crime on this production, John Garland. Enormous thanks also to the uber talented Mike Medway and Jack Hudson – as well as to all the brave and dedicated performers you will see this evening.

I hope you also enjoy this rather special production and my thanks for supporting the Wick Theatre Company once again.”

Programme Note #2: The Vagina Monologues

The Cast – Director and Producer

Zoey Attree – Zoey’s appearance heralds a long overdue return to the Wick stage. Having been heavily involved with the running of our youth company – Young Wick – for several years, as well as assisting in numerous backstage rôles for a variety of productions. She has previously performed for Wick in The Exam and Richard lll.

Isi Fink – currently studying performing arts, Isi is another actor that has graduated from our Youth Company. This production marks her second appearance for The Wick following her hilarious performance in Maskerade. She had previously caught the eye with her work in The Thwarting of Baron Bolligrew as the mischievous Mazeppa.

Sarah Frost – currently studying Theatre at Chichester College, Sarah ahs been involved with theatre all her life. She balances her acting work as a dancer and sought-after choreographer. She has co-Directed the Pantomime Captain Righteous and the Christmas Crisis in Shoreham in 2009. Previous acting rôles have included The Collector, Rent and a well received Wick debut in the multi award winning Richard lll.

Addie Marten – the youngest performer in our cast, Addie has risen up to the senior Wick Company from our Youth Group, where she featured in productions as diverse as Our Day Out and The Thwarting of Baron Bolligrew. After a cameo in The Happiest Days of Your Life she has gone on to perform the young lead in Maskerade and featured in the chilling After Midnight, Before Dawn.

Gill Medway – with an acting life that spans numerous genres, a puppet show and two continents, Gill has a whole host of exceptional performances to her credit. In the local area, she is known for her celebrated work in The Graduate, Richard lll, Don’t Look Now, and Talking Heads 2 to name but a few. Her most recent Wick performance saw her deliver a wonderfully rye Granny Weatherwax in Maskerade. She balances her acting work with her role as editor on the Essentially Worthing magazine.

Natalie Notley [nee Colgate] – first performed for The Wick as a child in Pinocchio some years ago! Having obviously caught the theatre bug, she then trained at Drama School and went on to perform professionally throughout the UK. Since returning to The Wick she has given a number of critically acclaimed performances in, amongst others, Abigail’s Party, Blithe Spirit, Noises Off and Maskerade. She also features for the improvisational troupe Over to You. This production marks her return to the stage following her marriage in Spring this year and her debut as Mrs Notley!

Anna Quick – studied acting at Hull University before going on to perform for a number of different companies at venues across Europe. Since settling in Sussex, she has made many notable appearances in shows such as *Look Back in Anger, Teechers, Shakers and Popcorn for which she won the BHAC Best Actress award 2009 for her chilling and funny performance as the psychotic ‘Scout’. Also an accomplished director; she recently brought the critically acclaimed Maskerade to the Barn Theatre stage.

Guy Steddon – although better known for is works as an actor, Guy has directed numerous plays, including a national award winning production of The Accidental Death of an Anarchist [Special Award for Comedy – NSDF 2000]. For Wick he has also directed the much lauded productions of Harvey and Shakers. As an actor he has featured in Richard lll, The Graduate, Popcorn, *Talking Heads 2 and many others, including Look Back in Anger for which he won the BHAC Best Actor Award in 2006.

John Garland – John is, without doubt, the busiest man in the Wick Theatre company serving as our Chairman, one of our busiest actors and most prolific directors! His recent acting credits include Noises Off, Harvey and Popcorn. His directorial successes include Art, Not Now Darling, Communicating Doors and The Secret Rapture. He also produced the one act extravaganza Escapism 3 earlier this year and fits in watching the odd game of rugby when he has free time!!!

[* Look Back in Anger and Talking Heads 2 were both Southwick Players productions – web ed]

Media & Reviews

Publicity #1: The Vagina Monologues
Publication: Shoreham Herald – online
Publication Data: June 2 2011
Text Header: Wick Theatre Company to present The Vagina Monologues
Text: Content

HYSTERICAL comedy will fight a serious problem.

The Vagina Monologues will run at the Barn Theatre from Tuesday, as part of the Adur Festival, and part of the proceeds will go to domestic abuse charity, RISE.

A cast of seven will bring Eve Ensler’s global theatrical phenomenon to the Southwick stage, in what promises to be a searingly funny, sometimes shocking, moving and unashamedly honest production. Guy Steddon, director, said: “The show has appeal for both men and women, it is extremely funny and touching.”

Anna Quick, of the group, added the Vagina Monologues moved beyond embarrassment and fear, to look at female empowerment and individuality. “These potent stories from a range of ages, ethnicities and sexualities will make for a jubilant night at the theatre,” she said.

Tickets, priced at £10, are available by calling 01273 597094 or go to www.wicktheatre.co.uk

Shows start at 7.45pm, and content is not suitable for under-16s.

Review #1: The Vagina Monologues
Publication: Shoreham Herald
Publication Data: Unknown
Reviewer: Sheena Campbell
Text Header: True stories trigger a kaleidoscope of emotions
Text: Content

COURTING acclaim and controversy in almost equal measure, The Vagina Monologues has become known worldwide as a voice for women. Never having seen the play before, I was unsure what to expect when I came to see Wick Theatre Company’s latest production at the Barn Theatre, Southwick.

Having seen it, I can only describe it as an emotional rollercoaster – one minute packed with side-splitting laughs, the next truly moving. All 17 scenes are based on real interviews with real women of all ages and this makes this a truly intriguing piece of theatre. It also means most women would be able to identify with at least one of the scenes (the group of women sitting behind me seemed to identify with nearly all of them).

Some scenes, including Hair, performed by Anna Quick and My Angry Vagina performed by Sarah Frost, evoked knowing laughs from women in audience who undoubtedly recognised their own experiences. Others, particularly My Vagina was My Village, left the audience in stunned silence for moments afterwards. As a young actress, Addie Marten handled the sensitive nature of this monologue – the account of a women who had been raped – admirably.

My only slight criticism would be: I felt it was a mistake for some of the cast to attempt American accents. Accents can be very distracting unless they are entirely consistent and I felt the honest subject matter of the play would have rung truer, in some case, if delivered in a more natural voice. Saying that, Isi Fink’s accent in her monologue was flawless and her childlike movements mirrored the conflict between innocence and experience perfectly.

I would recommend anyone to see this play at least once in their lives.

It is unexpected, funny, uncomfortable, moving and more, and really has to be seen to be believed.

*Proceeds from ticket sales of The Vagina Monologues are set to be donated to a local domestic violence charity

Review #2: The Vagina Monologues
Publication: Latest 7 – online
Publication Data:
Reviewer: Paul Macdowell
Text Header:
Text: Content

Simply put, The Vagina Monologues are a series of true stories about woman (of all ages and ethnicity) and their relationship/feelings with their vaginas. S ome of the vignettes were frankly harrowing; rape and abuse are never easy subjects to listen to. On the flip side some are brutally honest and hilarious. ‘Angry Vagina’ was a great opening to the second half which, on balance, was slightly better than the first. The group pieces were a little clumsy and although acted perfectly well by all, the older members of the cast gave their pieces more gravitas and poignancy.

Review #3: The Vagina Monologues
Publication: Publication: N.O.D.A – National Operatic and Dramatic Association
Reviewer: Jose Harrison
Text: Content

It is with regret that I have to report that I found your choice of The Vagina Monologues neither amusing nor particularly moving. I am surprised that a society with such apparent talent should chose to perform a production that requires so little acting skills and is really more appropriate for radio than stage.

The lighting helped to build some atmosphere but on the whole the show was for too static. With no scenery, no props, no costumes and very little movement the whole production depended on the actually lines for comedy or pathos. As the majority of these consisted of then word vagina or similar I found the bulk of the show fairly boring and representative. I did not feel this was a suitable choice of play for a small village production with a reasonably small catchment area. This particular show requires famous professional actors whose names would draw in a reasonably sized audience.

Having said all that I thought that most of the cast spoke the words clearly and will feeling and should concentrate on future performing good plays with plenty of opportunity to show off their acting skills.

Comment #1: The Vagina Monologues
Publication: Wick Newsletter
Publication Data: October 2011
Author: Jane Wiggins
Heading: The Audience Speaks!
Comment

“I refer to Josie Harrison’s review – NODA South East – of The Vagina Monologues. I fail to understand her review at all. Ms Harrison has missed the point as her point regarding lack of scenery and costumes is totally irrelevant as these are clearly ‘monologues’ – speeches that are delivered by the actors portraying women’s experiences, you do not need extras to enhance the play. These monologues depicted by the actors who clearly [judging by audience reaction and participation] evoked passion, empathy and at times comedy.

I must also refer to the part of the review regarding ‘well established actors’ needing to stage The Vagina Monologues and not a ‘small village company’. Frankly I am at a loss as to the constructiveness of this comment. The play needs to be staged by actors who are not ‘celebrities’, as it is the content and delivery of the lines that is important, and surely the acting ability of the company is crucial not how famous the actors are.

Personally I thoroughly enjoyed the play and thought the production and the actors were excellent as some of the monologues were challenging and sensitive.”

Comment #2: The Vagina Monologues
Publication: Wick Newsletter
Publication Data: October 2011
Author: Mark Flower
Heading: The Audience Speaks!
Comment

“Last night I saw The Vagina Monologues. What a lovely piece of writing and so well put together on stage by Wick. It is a show that I have wanted to see for the last 3 years but have always been on holidays for other productions but now at last I have seen this play.

It was both very funny [and lovely to see the cast laughing and smiling on stage] and very poignant. The item about rape, you could have heard a pin drop and Addie’s acting was outstanding and full of emotion. I’m saddened that what the actor said about rape being used in war is still true today. I don’t think it will ever stop.

Well done to the three young Wick members – it was great to see you in such a wonderful play and I am full of admiration for how you all remembered such long monologues. Everyone was so good – not a weak link anywhere.

Also for me a lovely short play to see and the best since Art – perhaps my top two plays in the last fifteen years!

Well done to you all.”

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The Vagina Monologues

The Vagina Monologues

Barn Theatre Southwick Street Southwick BN42 4TE