Over the last decade, women from around the region have shared their stories as part of The Vagina Conversations, a collaborative show featuring women, and people with vaginas.
Inspired by Eve Ensler’s Vagina Monologues, Director Zenith Virago felt that our local community had their own stories to tell. And so she pulled together a contemporary re-imagining, and this wasn’t a monologue. No, this was a conversation. With vaginas! Hence, The Vagina Conversations.
Women young and old, from 17 to 83, have stepped into the spotlight. These aren’t ‘performers’ – these are women and people from all walks of life, who find the courage to share. For many this is the first time they’ve been on stage.
The Vagina Conversations series has continued to sell out year after year with tellers presenting personal, professional, or political stories to inform, educate, support and entertain. Sometimes funny, other times sad, occasionally challenging and always celebratory, The Vagina Conversations is a powerful collaborative feminist project with creator and MC Zenith Virago, and regular contributor Mandy Nolan.
Raising money for DV programs
‘This show is activism in action’ says Ms Nolan. ‘Every year we tell stories about our sexuality, about what has happened to us because of our gender, and in doing that we raise money for much-needed womens’ support services for their domestic violence (DV) programs.’
Why are they talking about vaginas? Zenith Virago says vaginas are the most powerful body part on the planet. ‘They give pleasure, they give life – experiencing pain, and are desired and exploited every day.’ The Vagina Conversations are also part of the ‘One Billion Rising’ V-Day global revolution to end violence.
All proceeds go to the Women’s Resource Service; Byron Escape Fund; and the Tweed DVIRC Impact Fund, supporting local women escaping intimate partner and family violence, financing women in crisis to pay for emergency needs, and keeping women and children safe. The Vagina Conversations have raised over $158,000.
You can get tickets at www.brunswickpicturehouse.com.
You can get tickets at https://brunswickpicturehouse.com/vagina-conversations-11-12-15-feb
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