EDITORIAL

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Monologue this

By Leah Prestayko

Medicine Hat News Aug 15, 2006, 05:12

For anyone who thought a production of The Vagina Monologues was merely an opportunity for cheap sex jokes and man bashing, they couldn’t be more wrong.The production is just as its name reflects, a series of monologues all having to do in one way or another with vaginas.Uncomfortable with the word? Get over it. Half the world has one.Without a doubt the production contained sexual references. Most importantly, it offered up a number of lessons the entire world should be reminded of.The hardest hitting of the monologues concerned a woman from Kosovo who was raped repeatedly for seven days by soldiers using a variety of instruments. It wasn’t an easy story to hear, even as told by an actress in the comfort of the Black Box Theatre. The audience on Saturday night was silent aside from some squirming in chairs brought on by the uncomfortable nature of the material.Unfortunately, there are too many parts of this world where rape is used as a systemic tactic of war. A number of Hatters come from parts of the world where this is true. Now, thanks to The Vagina Monologues, other Hatters have a better understanding of what it’s like to endure such grievous living conditions. They may not be the kind of living conditions we think of on a day-to-day basis: car payments, clothing costs and groceries. It has to do with personal safety, self worth and survival on the deepest levels.At the same time, it was mentioned that 500,000 women are raped in the United States each year. That’s children raped by family members or trusted friends, elderly women raped by caregivers, women of all ages raped by strangers, friends and even their own lovers.Think of the population of Medicine Hat and multiply that pretty much by 10. That’s a lot of women. In one year. It’s incomprehensible. Now make it a strategy of war.Some may say Fut in the Hat was brave to stage The Vagina Monologues, that may or may not be true. What Medicine Hat should be, regardless of the show’s intent, is grateful.

The Vagina Monologues continues this weekend with shows on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Leah Prestayko is an associate editor with The News. Contact her at lprestayko@medicinehatnews.com.

© Copyright by Medicine Hat News.com

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Vagina Monologues

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Vagina monologue speak through laughter

By TENILLE TELLMAN

Aug 11, 2006, 01:07

Whether it was hair or angry genitals, Fut in the Hat’s production of Eve Ensler’s the Vagina Monologues rubbed the audience the right way.A full house roared with laughter and gasped in disbelief as monologues based on women’s life experiences were portrayed by three of Medicine Hat’s most talented - and brave - actresses.Undertaking a show based on a topic so rarely discussed, the women held their heads high and belted out theories and ideas about what their vagina would wear, what they might say if they could talk and how they smell.On a simple set with limited props, each woman shone in their own individual way.Gail Jansen was strong and captivating as she depicted an older woman talking about her experiences ‘down there.’ During transitions, she was natural and calm before transforming into a frightened young girl being raped by an older man.Janine Matwe caused full belly-laughs as she depicted a woman exploring her vagina for the first time or speaking on her vagina’s behalf to say how angry it was. Probably the most memorable part of Matwe’s performance was her demonstration of the varying levels of moans a woman could make.Maddona DeRuigh flipped sassily through a dictionary to find words to explain her favourite way to describe ‘down there,’ after she re-enacted a woman’s concerns about her body hair.During the intermission, the audience visited the Greenroom, which showcased displays from organizations relevant to some of the issues, including the Sexual Abuse Recovery Committee, the HIV/AIDS Network and the Phoenix Safe House. Six anonymous artists created the Busy Joyful Vagina, a large piece of artwork displayed for audience members to have a photo taken with to benefit Saamis Immigration Services.While the strength of the women’s performances carried the show, there were some technical shortcomings in the opening night of the production. Crew members could be heard talking in the back, which sometimes distracted from a lone character sitting in the spotlight. Little known facts displayed on a screen between scenes were not visible for most of the audience stuck sitting in the two rows of seats on the left wing.The two hour production cruised by quickly and sent the audience home with serious issues to think about.The topic alone, accompanied by some foul language, does not make this show appropriate for all ages, but anyone older than 18 years of age should definitely attend.The Vagina Monologues continues August 11 and 12 then starts with a second cast from August 17-19.

© Copyright by Medicine Hat News.com

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THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES

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The Vagina Monologues is an episodic play written by Eve Ensler. It premiered Off-Broadway in 1996 and won an Obie Award. She originally starred in it, playing all the various women who share their views about their vaginas with the audience. The production has been staged internationally, and now finds its way to the Medicine Hat stage courtesy of FUT in the Hat
"Spellbinding, funny, and almost unbearably moving. . . . Written with a bluntness that is nevertheless intensely lyrical, it is both a work of art and an incisive piece of cultural history, a poem and a polemic, a performance and a balm and a benediction."
--Variety
"Frank, humorous and moving . . . a compelling rhapsody of the female essence. Ultimately, Ensler achieves something extraordinary."
--Chicago Tribune
At the CULTURAL CENTRE
7:30 pm
August 10, 11. 12 & 17, 18. 19.

Tickets :$15.00
• in person, ESPLANADE Box Office or Mall Outlet
• online, at Ticket Central: http://www.tixx.ca/
CLICK HERE TO BUY NOW:

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Mesa

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FUT theatre takes Hatters on
a charming little trip to Mesa
TENILLE TELLMAN

Medicine Hat News

Fut in the Hat Theatre Guild took about 50 Hatters on an incredible and charming trip to Mesa, Arizona on Wednesday night.

With only two actors on stage for the majority of the production, Doug Curtis' heartwarming comedy unfolded as 34-yearold Paul, played by Mike Waskalik, drove his wife's 93-year-old grandfather Bud, played by Grant Bray, to his retirement trailer in Mesa.

Using a simple set in a small and intimate theatre, the play was a animated through creative facial expressions and a white screen in the background which occasionally flashed images relevant to the location the two were driving through. The set also allowed for easy transitions between scenes which prevented the actors from losing the audience's attention.

It soon became difficult to decipher if humour was found in the clever and witty script or the chemistry between the two performers. Either way, the audience chose to settle in, enjoy the ride, and laugh along the way.

Waskalik played a struggling artist whose values and interests easily contradicted those of a stubborn senior. Bray was comedic and convincing in his voice, expressions and comments, but his dialogue touched Paul on a more personal note. As Bud was simply eager to get to the retirement trailer for what he believed could be his last trip, Paul opened his mind and ended up learning more about himself.

Along the way, the two met David Stewart, who played a customs officer, security guard and cowboy at different locations. Though brief, every character Stewart played was memorable and kept the audience laughing.

The cast and crew showed dedication and commitment not only to learn the lines, but to take a small production and make it into an unforgettable show.

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News Story

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Take a trip to Mesa

from the MEDICINE HAT NEWS Mar 22, 2006

Fut in the Hat is taking theatre goers on a trip to Arizona.The theatre company’s latest production, Mesa, is the story of a man named Paul who agrees to drive his wife’s 93-year-old grandfather, Bud, to his retirement trailer in Mesa, Ariz.“It’s about his search for himself,” director Karen Cunningham said of Paul’s journey. “He’s kind of lost his inner self and travelling with this old man he starts to find out who he is.”Due to the old man’s age, Bud expects this to be his last trip to Arizona. His reflections on life help Paul’s quest for life’s answers.“There’s a lot of poingancy there.”There’s humour, too.“You can imagine taking a 93-year-old man on a trip, he ends up having some experiences he hadn’t expected.”Those experiences teach him a great deal.“Inside that old husk there is still a human being inside with feeligns and needs,” Cunningham said.And not only do those experiences teach him about Bud, but about himself, too.The play has been described by those who have seen it as “charming,” the director said.Written by Calgarian Doug Curtis, the play stars Grant Bray as Bud and Mike Waskalik as Paul. While the actors may be familiar to local theatre lovers, Cunningham said the play’s set calls for something different.“It’s the most simple set I’ve ever seen.”The primary elements of the set are two lawnchairs, Cunningham said, noting the play calls for it to be that way. The lawnchairs are used as props for the seats of the car, beds in a hotel and, of course, as lawnchairs at Bud’s holiday spot.The theatre company hopes to use a projector to cast images up on the backdrop to add context to the scenes.Mesa will be staged in the Black Box theatre in the Cultural Centre on March 23-25 at 7:30 p.m., and March 25-26 with 2 p.m. matinees. Tea and cookies will be served at the matinees.Tickets are $15 plus GST and available at The Esplanade box office, online at www.tixx.ca or by phoning 502-8777. Tickets for opening night are already sold out.

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