The Vagina Monologues

This year is the 20th anniversary of the Vagina Monologues which was written by Eve Ensler and then developed and premiered at HERE Arts Center and was followed by an Off-Broadway run in the late 1990s.

Eve Ensler is an award winning playwright, performer and activist. Through the not for profit bodies V Day and One Billion Rising, which campaign to end violence against women and girls globally, she has helped to raise over $100 million in nineteen years.

"The first time I performed the Vagina Monologues, I was sure somebody would shoot me." Eve Ensler wrote in the Independent newspaper on Tuesday 9th January 2018.

The Vagina Monologues, which was described by the New York Times as "probably the most important piece of political theatre" of our age, beats with a woman's heart and reaches out with a powerfully feminine voice.

It has given women the courage to unearth truths that have been taboo for years. It provides a safe space from which we can name parts of our bodies without facing revulsion, censorship and fear of recrimination. The women in the Monologues talk of rape, torture, body shaming and bullying. They also talk of wonder, re-awakenings, fantasies, passion and joy.

Director Rachel Fleming says she chose the play because we find ourselves in a culture of transition and change. ”Women are finding the courage to talk of abuse, mistreatment and trauma that they have been victims of. And for once they are being heard. Society has no choice now, but to listen. I am telling all the women I know to come and see this play and to bring their mothers, sisters, daughters and partners. It is very much a piece that reflects our time. I have twin six year old boys and if they were old enough I would bring them along too.”

The Vagina Monologues is being performed from February 14th until 17th and then again from 21st until 24th at 7.30pm in the Kelvin Studios, 253b Gloucester Road. Tickets are £12 (£10 concessions), available from www.kelvinplayers.co.uk.