Director - Fenella Harrop

Fenella Harrop is directing the show. She says the casting process wasn’t at all easy.

“Having so many talented and committed actresses auditioning for this play sounds like the perfect scenario but in fact it made the casting process really agonising. What is especially important with ‘The Vagina Monologues’ is that not only do the cast need to be strong and accomplished actors but they also have to be sensitive and supportive and combine well as a team. Getting the mix right has been a major factor.”

In no particular order then, let’s meet the cast.

Amanda Bodilly

Joining Fenella on stage is Amanda Bodilly. A regular actress for Malmesbury’s Athelstan Players, Amanda’s enjoying the challenge of this production. She says it’s a show that’s not just for laughs.

“It’s enlightening for both men and women. It makes me feel I shouldn’t take for granted the freedom we enjoy in this country. It makes me feel empowered that we can discuss openly our girly bits, laugh about them and get support if we need it.”

Jill Misson

Jill Misson is enjoying her first performance with OTTC. A former member of the National Youth Theatre, Jill says that this play has a real link with her work for BBC Local Radio.

“Women love to talk. I’m one of the lucky few who talks for a living. Working in radio I am always seeking real people with real stories to tell. The Vagina Monologues has introduced me to a group of women I may never have met, to their most intimate memories, embarrassing experiences and proud moments – not just the brave, bold, beautiful women within the script but the brave, bold, beautiful women joining me in bringing their words to life. “

Nancy Heath is a drama teacher putting her talents into practice.

Nancy Heath

“My monologue is one of the universal ones. Things that most women have to go through in connection to “down there”. My character is angry about these things and wants to let people know. It’s kind of the equivalent of “we’re mad as hell and we’re not gonna take it anymore”. It’s a battle cry of freedom for the misused, abused and mostly misunderstood vagina.

I also do a piece about a woman who is injured in Iraq, called Baghdad. It describes a horrendous situation that many woman are in, through no fault of their own, and the fact that no one will be accountable for these horrible things that are happening. It’s ironic that I deliver this in my normal American accent, as it is the Americans who dropped the bombs on Baghdad.”

Aside from its content, Nancy says the play’s production offers up different challenges – and opportunities.

“Even though there are several shared pieces, there is no dialogue between the women. All of us are delivering monologues directly to the audience with little interaction between us other than shared empathy and support. This makes it almost like a one woman show, in the way you must prepare. It is like one woman, but using many voices. I thought I’d be more embarrassed by the subject matter, but it’s fine, quite liberating really.”

Lynne Scragg

Lynne Scragg is another educator, and also a founder member of OTTC. She says the Monologues speak volumes about how women all across the world experience life.

“It’s about how they feel about themselves, how they feel about the people who have influenced them, what sex means for them, what love is and most of all, what they think about that part of them that we just don’t tend to talk about! The stories are funny, sad, poignant, moving and very ‘real’. For anyone listening to them, indifference will not be an option.”

“ My two main pieces are spoken on behalf of two older women - a spinster aged 72 and a mother who has witnessed her granddaughter’s birth. They have very different views about vaginas! The second one, which closes the play, has very real meaning for me, as I had the privilage of being present, with my sister, when my niece was born. It’s an emotional piece and beautifully written.”

Sue Mowat

Lynne says that having seen this play performed at Swindon’s Wyvern Theatre, she was very keen to be involved in OTTC’s production. And, like Nancy, Lynne’s noticed a definite “sisterhood” developing!

“Being part of the audition process and then the cast rehearsals has been a really enjoyable and empowering experience. We’ve shared some of our own stories and become a very supportive, close team, which I believe to be important to the success of such an emotionally rich play. Difficult to practice your lines and orgasmic moans as you’re going about the supermarket shopping though!”

Rehearsals in progress for The Vagina Monologues

With previous OTTC credits including 12 Angry Men and 1984, Sue Mowat says that this time round she’s playing various women who hate their vaginas until they learn – or are taught - to love them.

“It’s a serious, thought-provoking, poignant, ‘feel good’, sexy and often extremely funny look at a part of the female anatomy that rarely gets an ‘airing’ – well, apart from in GPs’ or gynaecologists’ surgeries that is!

It’s a stimulating piece of work with many different layers. It works as a play, it’s a powerful feminist rally cry, it provokes global political debate, and it’s a ‘crack- ing’ good night out too!”

The cast put in overtime - helping out with a mailshot

Funny though it undoubtedly is, Sue says that The Vagina Monologues provides a forum for feminine reflection that comes all too rarely.

“It’s strange. Us women have unique relationships with our ‘fannies’, ‘pussies’ and ‘front bottoms’ but we rarely seem to give them a second thought and even more rarely talk about them – even with our closest friends.

This play hopefully will change all that – it’s high time we got the way we think and feel about vaginas off our chests, eh girls?! (p.s. mine’s called ‘Arthur’, she smells like ‘Freedom’ and she’s wearing an angel costume complete with halo and wings!)

Help us to Help them!

The company is joining the V-Day offensive to stop violence against women and girls by presenting The Vagina Monologues at Swindon's Arts Centre, Devizes Road, Old Town on Saturday February 12 at 7.30pm.

Fenella Harrop

"The Vagina Monologues is such an incredible and powerful piece of theatre. Having seen it myself last year, I walked out onto the street and said: I want to do that!'' said Fenella.

V-Day is a global movement, a catalyst that promotes creative events, such as the OTTC's performance, to increase awareness, raise cash and revitalise the spirit of existing anti-violence organisations.

The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler are sharp and political, containing sexual references and strong language. All the proceeds from the show will go to local women's charities.

Organising an event for V-Day is a big undertaking. Fenella said: "When you are granted permission to organise a V-Day event you are given access to the V-Spot website which is a complete support network for organisers.

"A recurring theme is people having trouble raising money and finding sponsors. As I am having trouble with this too it's nice to get or give suggestions or share your experiences as this might help others.''

OTTC are hoping to get local businesses or individuals on board to sponsor the show so they can scoop more cash for the charity.

"Help us to help those in need,'' she said.

Anyone interested in sponsoring the play or wanting tickets at £8.50 should contact www.swindonweb.com/ottc.

Did You Know?

• One in three women will be the victim of sexual assault or abuse during their lifetime?
• In Swindon and Wiltshire there are approximately 30,000 incidents of domestic violence and abuse every year?
• Only one in 10 rapes are ever reported. Only half of those reported ever gets to trial. Of those that make it to court only l One in 13 result in a successful conviction.
• That means that for every 10,000 cases in Swindon and Wiltshire only about 38 ever result in a successful conviction.