The Vagina Monologues

The Vagina Monologues is an episodic play by Eve Ensler (1953-)[1],

The original text

After a limited run at HERE Arts Center in 1996, it ran at the Off Broadway Westside Theatre. Ensler originally starred in the production which was produced by David Stone, Nina Essman, Dan Markley, The Araca Group, Willa Shalit and the West Side Theater. When she left the play it was recast with three celebrity monologists. The play has been staged internationally, and a television version featuring Ensler was produced by cable TV channel HBO.

Translations and adaptations

Translated and adapted into Afrikaans as Die Vagina Monoloë by Antoinette Louw in 2012.

Performance history in South Africa

2002: Staged at Caesars in Gauteng in April 2002, directed by Dawn Lindberg, with Gerry Rantseli, Basetsana Kumalo, Charlene Smith, Shaleen Surtie-Richards, Lebo Mathosa, Lara Bye, Marianne Tham, Jenny Crwys-Williams, Kerishnie Naiker, Amanda Strydom and Thembi Mtshali.

2003: In March 2003 it was staged in the Baxter Theatre and the State Theatre, directed by Dawn Lindberg, with a cast including Precious Simelane, Debora Patta, Irene Bester, Michelle McLean, Zuraida Jardine, Penny Lebyane, Nicole Fox, Rosie Motene and others. The same production was performede in the André Huguenet Theatre in Bloemfontein in August 2003.

2003: In October 2003 it was staged in the Nu Metro Privé Theatre at the Village Walk in Sandton, directed by Dawn Lindberg, with Lindberg, Rosie Motene, Rachel Tambo, Tselane Tambo and Nobuntu Mpahlaza.

2012-2013: The Afrikaans version, Die Vagina Monoloë , performed by Antoinette Louw, Lulu Botha, Simone Alexia Biscombe, directed by Nanine Wessels at The Artscape Theatre Centre as part of the Women's Day celebrations. Also staged at the Intimate Theatre in February 2013.