*Disclaimer: spoilers ahead!*

watched vagina monologues with mun wei today at ucc. thanks girl for accompanying me! the play was so well-done, i enjoyed every single moment of it. funny, serious, reflective, contemplative, true, real, the list goes on, i came out feeling in awe of the actresses and director and the people behind the play for being so daring to take on such a controversial subject and putting it, literally, in-your-face. the actresses gave such a great and stunning performance, you actually feel for them, understand and think! and yes, the play is essentially about the female vagina, female sexuality and all things female. and it definitely isnt for everyone. the greatness of the play? that it doesnt bother to censor itself, that it assumes that the audience will be receptive towards it, that the audience are intelligent and able to contemplate the underlying issues raised in the play and yet have a great time! hence, a no-holds-barred play.

from the start, beginning with the poem "comfort women" recited by loretta chen(director) and anna belle francis, the emotions, the power of the play could be felt. the poem was recited with such heartfeltness that it brought tears to my eyes - and the recitors(sp)- i couldnt help but wonder how the play would be like. it didnt disappoint, far frm it, it entertained, shocked, provoked feelings and thoughts in me, such that i didnt want it to end. the truthfulness of the play... im still in complete awe of how the play was wonderfully executed and sensitive issues were dealt with. not to mention the wonderful performances, esp mel, who made us jjcians proud with her wonderful performance. it was so good that mun wei, fellow kendoka and science student, enjoyed it as well. i was kinda worried she may be uncomfortable and put-off at first, but phew, she enjoyed it, although yes, there were shocking and uncomfortable moments, for all of us. but then again, that's the best way to go esp when dealing with controversial issues. there's no other way. a serious issue is a serious issue, you cant lessen it's seriousness any way. the brilliance of it all!

i especially love the part where some of the actresses stripped down to the bare essentials(ie lingerie) while reciting their lines, revealing the words "MINE" in bold red at the end. each of the 4 actresses have a letter on their tummy, and it was so powerful and daring of them. "My short skirt", the scene is called. where they talk about what their short skirt really mean, and not what we normally infer, ie, not asking for being raped etc. and when they stripped, the said sth like(cant remb the exact words, sorry) underneath it all, the bra and the panties, is mine, MINE.... ya sth like that. i ruined it, so sorry, you got to watch it to find out.

and the scene where we reclaimed the word, "cunt", was so fun and powerful as well. done talkshow style, we, the audience, were actively involved in reclaiming the word, men and women, boys and girls. ok, i shant reveal further, heh~

all-in-all, it is a wonderful play. one which, if given a chance, i would watch it over. as it is, once i have enough money, im going to get the book! haha~ for those watching it tmr, get set for a great time! for those who miss it entirely, it's your loss. :) 2 and a half hours? so what? haha~ oh, and i wanted to post the "comfort women" poem, but i cant find it anywhere. sigh. anyone who finds it, do let me know? thanks!

learn to respect women. learn to treat women as humans. learn to respect yourself. learn to love yourself. learn to love the essence of who you are. learn to love, your vagina.