My Vagina Wants Everything – A Review of the Carleton University Vagina Monologues |
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| Written by An Nguyen |
| Tuesday, 22 March 2011 00:00 |
A female student humorously rants about injustices wrought against the vagina, such as tampons, douches and the tools used by OB/Gyns. Photo: Sandy Chase
Traditionally The Vagina Monologues are marked by a series of soliloquies written and performed by women. Written by Eve Ensler, The Vagina Monologues have quickly become a movement across the world to end domestic violence. According to co-directors Rosella Chibambo and Vanessa Baker, proceeds from this year's Carleton University performance went to the V-Day organization (to support women and girls in Haiti), the Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre, and the Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre. A minimal stage with black and white head shots of the cast members taped to the background wall gave the initial impression of a low-key, low-budget performance. Minutes into the show, however, the background faded away as audience members quickly realized these students were taking on stimulatingly taboo and larger than life issues. For $12 at the door, audience members were exposed to the rawest of female expression. If watching a women slowly arch her back to mimic the viewing of her vagina in a full length mirror for the first time didn't get your attention, perhaps the orgasmic joy expressed when four women found their g-spots at a Vagina Workshop would have. 
A student poses as a sexy dominatrix, who finds pleasure in making women moan. Photo: Sandy Chase
So how has this performance been different than any others? To begin, co-director Vanessa Baker indicated that the script was altered in some cases to appeal to an Ottawa and broader Canadian audience with references to coming on the O-Train, using an Esso bathroom, the "go ravens" moan, and quick jabs at Bev Oda and Stephen Harper. 
A powerful performance speaks to domestic violence amonst women in Aboriginal reserves as silence falls on the room. Photo: Sandy Chase
Through The Vagina Monologues, the students at Carleton University took a brazen approach to raising awareness surrounding domestic violence. Their performance disrupted any silence surrounding female crisis like rape and genital mutilation, while serving to educate the audience on cultural and social attitudes about puberty and perceptions of beauty. If you haven't already checked out a Vagina Monologues performance this spring, please make sure you do so. You can also visit vday.org to show your support. Tags: anarchy, box, carleton, cunny, cunt, eve ensler, ottawa, pussy, review, theatre, twat, va jay jay, vagina, vagina monologues
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