Pussy Play and Wank Bank
Brunswick Picture House | Pussy Play, Friday and Saturday 7pm | Wank Bank, Friday and Saturday 8.30pm
The Brunswick Picture House presents the most fun sex-education classes you’ll ever go to! Pussy Play and Wank Bank play back-to-back, with burlesque legend Strawberry Siren presenting Pussy Play, and Rural Ranga presenting Wank Bank. We had a little chat about what these interactive performance workshops entailed…
Strawberry Siren on Pussy Play:
I’m intrigued – how did you come up with the concept for your show?
The mastermind behind Pussy Play is my cousin, the Rural Ranga. He had developed, and been performing Wank Bank for two years, when he was given funding from Adelaide Fringe to create Pussy Play. We wrote Pussy Play together and structured it to be similar to the Wank Bank format.
Why do you think adults need sexual education?
Well the sexual education in schools is pretty lacking… plus I think it’s important to gain a further sexual education as an adult – when you’ve grown into your sexuality and feel a little more comfortable in your own skin.
What’s something you share with the audience that they generally don’t know?
Most people don’t know the actual size and shape of the clitoris or where it actually sits within the anatomy of the vulva. Which isn’t a surprise, due to the fact that the full anatomy of the clitoris was only researched just over 10 years ago!
Why are we so ignorant about vaginas?
Unlike the penis, which is visible and easy to touch… the vagina (the internal part of the vulva) takes much more effort and exploration to get to know. Women can’t see inside, and rarely get a chance to feel around in there, so as a result, our vaginas are quite foreign to us! Women literally need a mirror to see what their own vulva looks like! Plus every vulva is unique in the way it looks; there’s no single picture that can say this is what it should look like.
Do the audience really make vulvas out of plasticine? How does that go?
Yes! I teach the class the full anatomy of the vulva by getting them to build one with plasticine!
What has been some of the feedback?
Both men and women have found the show to be very informative and enjoyable, regardless of sexual orientation. Some women have been astounded by how much they didn’t know about their own bodies.
How do you like people to leave the show?
Feeling confident about being able to pleasure themselves or their lover – and with a smile on their face.
What should we expect for your show at the Bruns Picture House?
A sexy education with lots of laughs!
Rural Ranga on Wank Bank:
How did you come up with this concept? Was it just to claim happy endings on tax as research?
It all started in NYC as an art project. I found myself giving people happy ending massages to pay my rent and decided to document and draw all my experiences with clients.
At the end of the project, with all the money I had saved in my ‘Wank Bank’ I printed an art book, which I sold at a MoMA Art Book Fair. From there, the interactive show was developed out of curiosity from friends, and I’ve been claiming cucumbers and lube on tax ever since.
Why are we so hung up do you think, about masturbation?
Unfortunately there is still a lot a shame around sex and pleasure out there. Most people feel embarrassed about exploring and enjoying their own bodies, let alone discussing it. At the end of the day everyone does it, and it’s proven to be beneficial for your physical and mental health. It even helps reduce the risk of cancers in men. Wank Bank aims to provide a safe space where participants can explore and play, whilst learning some new techniques too.
What have some of the reactions been? What’s the most surprising reaction you have had?
After doing the show for a few years I feel like I have seen almost everything. I’ve had Oprah moments where people say I’ve helped them cure sexual trauma, and identical twin grandmas in their late 80s who were excited to take the new tricks back to the retirement home to practice. It’s mostly a really positive response and this is because it’s a lighthearted show which allows the audience to participate as much, or as little, as they want.
What do you show, or teach, the audience?
New ways to explore pleasure for yourself or partners. How to approach sex feeling relaxed enough to be more confident to explore. Most importantly, to laugh, and have fun. Sex doesn’t always have to be so serious. You will also learn the techniques I’ve perfected from my days as a happy ending massuer, so they are guaranteed to get you, or your partner, off.
Is there enough in the Wank Bank to talk about for an hour-long show?
I teach more than twenty masturbation techniques, so there is heaps to learn. I also speak from my own experiences, and talk about what it was like massaging for tips in NYC.
What did you set out to achieve with Wank Bank (don’t say climax.)
Besides of course mind-blowing poker-machine-eyeball type orgasms, I guess I wanted to create an accessible space where people feel really comfortable getting involved and trying new things. It’s a glorious sight seeing a hundred people in a cucumber and carrot circle jerk-laughing and learning while Dolly Parton is blaring on the speakers.
What should we expect for the show at Bruns Picture House?
I’m so pumped about this show. I feel like the Brunny community will embrace all things sex-positve and -creative. I reckon there will be some stiff competition for ‘wanker of the day.’
Pussy Play presents at the Brunswick Picture House Friday and Saturday at 7pm. Wank Bank presents at 8.30pm. For tickets go to brunswickpicturehouse.com
