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The Vagina Monologues director Miranda Donald, Rescue Station Arts Centre president Wendy Crellin and local actor Sally Lewer Ahern
By Catherine Watson
"NO RECENT hour of theatre has had a greater impact worldwide" stated The New York Times.
They were referring to The Vagina Monologues. Thirty years after the play was first performed in New York, it continues to entertain, amuse, inspire and provoke in productions around the world.
Miranda Donald first directed the play in Wonthaggi with local actors 17 years ago as a fund-raiser.
Next month she returns with her independent theatre company Overlook Productions for another fund-raiser production, this time for the Rescue Station Arts Centre, of which her mother Wendy Crellin is president.
Wendy will join the production as "local talent" alongside local actor Sally Lewer Ahern.
The play will be performed “in the round” in the atmospheric old brick building, with seating for up to 120.
Miranda spent her childhood in Wonthaggi and has fond memories of the “small country town” she grew up in, including school plays and her drama teacher, Margie O’Donnell.
Based on interviews playwright Eve Ensler conducted with 200 women, The Vagina Monologues can be confronting but Miranda says this will be a curated version that will leave everyone feeling pretty good about themselves.
“Even though it’s a collection of monologues and group scenes, the director can curate the event for what they want to achieve. I want everyone to walk out smiling.”
Overlook Productions has gathered a talented ensemble cast for a play that is on the bucket list for many actors.
The Wonthaggi production is supported by a People of Post Australia Post grant, which allows locals to participate in a community event and provides an opportunity to bring women's issues to the forefront.
Miranda stresses that men will enjoy it too. “It’s definitely not anti-men. They might even learn something. We’ve had men who wanted to come back with their sons to see it again because they found it so enthralling.”
The Vagina Monologues, Saturday October 17, 2pm, The Rescue Station Arts Centre, 80 West Area Road, Wonthaggi. Tickets at Trybooking.