Three brave Nuu-chah-nulth women will join a cast of 17 to perform in the provocative and popular play called The Vagina Monologues.
Presented by Art Matters Society and the Main Artery, Eve Ensler’s famous The Vagina Monologues is made up of speeches that deal with the feminine experience, touching on matters such as sex, love, rape, menstruation, female genital mutilation, masturbation, birth, orgasm, the various common names for the vagina.
The play strives to convey the vagina as a tool of female empowerment, and the ultimate embodiment of individuality.
Auditions for the play were held in Port Alberni in mid-January and three Nuu-chah-nulth women landed parts. Bettina Thomas of Ahousaht and sisters Irene and Erma Robinson of Tseshaht will join 14 other women at the Capitol Theatre Feb. 9. The play is sponsored by Portal Players Dramatic Society.
According to Gwynne Hunt, The Vagina Monologues, in existence for about 20 years, opened about 15 years ago to assist non-profit societies in fundraising efforts aimed at ending violence against women and children. Every year they focus fundraising efforts on one country. Ten percent of the proceeds from each performance is given to the focus country.
Another portion of the proceeds goes to a local charity. In this case, Alberni Community and Women’s Services will benefit from some of the proceeds from ticket sales.
The fund raising effort is part of the V-Day movement, a global effort to end violence against women. This year marks the 15th anniversary of V-day and organizers have launched their most recent campaign called One Billion Rising.
“The concept of the campaign is simple. If you take into account the statistic that one out of three women will experience violence in her lifetime, you are left with the staggering statistic that over one billion women on this planet will be impacted by violence.
On V-Day's 15th anniversary, Feb. 14/13, we are inviting one billion women and those who love them to walk out, dance, rise up, and demand an end to this violence, reads v-Day.org
“The play is risqué, wild and crazy but it’s about violence against women and I think it’s a good way to bring attention to the problem,” said Hunt.
Tickets are on sale at Char’s Landing on Argyle Street across from City Hall in Port Alberni as well as Main Artery located on 3rd Ave. and Argyle Street. In addition, each of the performers is selling tickets for $15 each. Men are welcome to see the play.
The play opens Saturday, Feb. 9 starting at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. and there will be information booths set up in the foyer.
