Not since Eve Ensler's groundbreaking The Vagina Monologues has there been so much mention of, ahem, our lady bits in the Arts as this weekend held. Or my weekend at least. Although I may have undermined the whole 'let us call it what it is' stance by referring to them as 'lady bits'. Sorry. Though, to be fair, I have never denied my prudish tendencies. Which is probably why I'm so tickled by this weekend's double whammy, so to speak.
On Saturday I played the much coveted role of 'Woman 1' in Lucy Dobson's funny and lovely little comedy short Designer Vaginas. On being told this title my mother stared at me aghast as she tried to work out how best to sensitively ask if I'd, fed up with the acting grind, bitten the bullet and entered the adult entertainment industry. I can assure you, as I did her, that it was as quirky as the title suggests but in no way raunchy or vajazzled. I won't share much more about the filming as I wouldn't want to spoil the joy for you all of watching it (yes I will be posting it here) when it's ready. I will say, however, that I've never ever had a camera man say to me 'That was very good. That's quite an interesting vagina you've got there'. Referring, by the way, to the SCRIPT's content. You know, the words I was saying. Not my...you get the gist. I told him nobody had ever said that to me before. Then I thought for a moment and added, "I kind of hope no one ever does again".
The next day I went to ITCH, the exciting Sunday afternoon scratch sessions that The Comedian's Theatre Company runs at the Pleasance Theatre. There were bits of plays, comedy sketches and improv (more about this in a later blog) but what stood out for me, for obvious reasons, was musical comedienne Pippa Evan's song My Vagina. Actually I don't know if it had a proper title but this is fitting enough for now since the song can be pretty much epitomised by those two words. Written as a response to feminine deodorising wipe company femfresh's patronising slogans such as 'Woo Hoo for my Fru Fru' it ended with her encouraging the audience to call out 'VAGINA!' in much the same way Ensler revolutionised the word 'cunt'. (By the way, I honestly never thought I'd use that word in a blog).
Although both the projects listed above are comedy the truth is that femfresh's campaign actually had quite a major backlash from insulted women fed up of being made to feel unclean, unnatural and unfeminine. In their funny, silly, irreverent ways both Pippa Evans and Lucy Dobson are joining those in the Arts who are tackling the way women are infantilised by the media. Since I totally support anyone who manages to both entertain and convey a point I'm thrilled to be involved. Shall we say it!?
VAGINA!
Have a good day!
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