REVIEW by Jo Hills, Taranaki Daily News: 6 August 2026
The sound of excited satisfaction rose to near orgasmic levels post show at New Plymouth’s Little Theatre on Wednesday night. Both the audience and cast lingered and mingled in the foyer. They delighted in chattering about The Vagina Monologues.
Society doesn’t often openly talk about vaginas. However, prompted by the 90-minute performance, both the theatre-goers and performers seemed empowered and liberated. They were now ready to enthusiastically discuss not only vaginas, but the many themes explored within the script and the fabulous acting.
It was a bold move when director Tracey Blake decided that this was the production she wanted to stage. The Vagina Monologues requires minimal props, costumes and scenery but demands an extremely brave team of actresses. Although no nudity is involved, the cast go where many dare not as the narrative exposes some brazen and uncomfortable issues. It’s certainly not a show for the faint hearted. Some felt that local audiences might not be ready for something so risqué. Undaunted, Blake has gathered seven brilliant, brave female performers together. Under her guidance, and coupled with their amazing talents, they have created a powerful and memorable theatrical experience.
Written in 1996 by American playwright Eve Ensler, this presentation of The Vagina Monologues is honest, sometimes funny and often confronting. With its season already sold out, Taranaki has shown it is more than ready for this series of revealing monologues. The group of seven extremely talented women include Donna Yeats, Melissa Greig Callaghan, Jacqui Penn, Polly Catlin-Maybury, Rhiannon McNish, Reganne Denton-Giles and Sharren Read.
Each is absolutely superb and very individual in their storytelling. There is a sense of sisterhood amongst them too, especially when they come together as a group supporting one another within the monologues. They often take turns sitting in a striking red chair or strut along a red carpeted catwalk as they draw you into their stories. You actually forget they are acting. Yet, it is a delight to see the well-honed skills each woman brings to the stage.
They all present solo, personal monologues breaking the 4th wall as they courageously confide their character’s secrets. We listen to their varied experiences, their fears, their expectations and disappointments, the highs and lows of being born with a vagina. We hear of vaginal workshops. Rape scenes are recounted. Alarming statistics about female genital mutilation are revealed. We listen to graphic, but beautiful descriptions of a vagina during childbirth. Sexual moans are amazingly replicated. Some monologues are sad, some disturbing and others filled with hope. A few include a smattering of humour. They have been inspired by real-life interviews with more than 200 women in the 1990s so they are very realistic in giving women a voice.
As the show concludes to resounding applause many comment how powerful the portrayals have been. Several confess they thought it would have been much more of a comedy, but are impressed by what they have witnessed instead. This includes men who are present. A few of them seem to have been dragged along unwittingly. They had been unsure about what they would be watching. They admit it is an excellent show, with brilliant acting and concede they will even talk about it with others.
Although sold out, I suspect The Vagina Monolgues will be a talking point long after the curtain goes down. Its season continues until August 15.