Theatre Preview
Eleanor Pearson 21 October 2015 Let’s Start a Conversation!This is the third time Lane Cove Theatre Company has produced Eve Ensler’s episodic play, The Vagina Monologues. Director Megan Spindler performed in the previous two productions of this play with the company.
“This play is not just for women,” Spindler emphasized. “We are at a great point to create a discussion,” she said, referring to the current media hype about gender issues, in particular domestic violence towards women, but also positive achievements women are making across the global community.
“I like to tackle hard subjects. Theatre gives you a safe space to think about hard topics. You’re not 100 per cent immersed. It can give people in the audience an inkling about something they’ve never thought about before.” As a director, Spindler believes this play is important because it gives a voice to women, especially those who may not be able to speak for themselves. At the beginning of the rehearsal process, Spindler sat down with the cast and created what she described as a “safe space within the group”. “Trust is very important. In rehearsal the actors need to be honest and feel supported without judgement. They need to be authentic without being broken by the experience.” “I have a facilitator approach. Sometimes we stop the physical rehearsal to allow time to talk.” |
The Vagina Monologues
Season Starting: Friday, November 6 (click on "Upcoming Events" for exact times.) Address: Northside Baptist Church 63 Willoughby Road, Crows Nest Sydney, NSW 2065 |
“The Vagina Monologues change. It’s part of their design. It’s different with each different directorial vision and a different set of women,” Spindler explained.
This time around Spindler has included more pieces about the queer experience, and has also changed the American Indigenous monologue to an Australian Indigenous perspective.
This time around Spindler has included more pieces about the queer experience, and has also changed the American Indigenous monologue to an Australian Indigenous perspective.
Spindler grew up at Lane Cove, and attended Newtown High School of the Performing Arts. By day, Spindler is a forensic research scientist.
“In science there’s a creativity to find the honesty within the data. In theatre, to reach a great end point, you need structure and logic,” she said. During the production cycle of this play, Spindler moved to Windsor. But she continued to commute back to the north shore for rehearsals. “I’m dedicated to this show, and to the women in it. It’s very much worth doing,” she said. |
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Youngest cast member, Lauren McNaught, 20, has also had a longstanding interest in the play. The Lane Cove resident “stumbled” on the audition notice for this production on Facebook.
“I’d love to see more productions of this play. It opens minds and breaks down taboos about female sexuality,” McNaught said.
“There are so many different stories a Lane Cove audience may never have even considered.”
McNaught wants to pursue an acting career. She is currently studying for a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Sydney, majoring in Gender Studies.
The Vagina Monologues plays November 6-13, 2015
“I’d love to see more productions of this play. It opens minds and breaks down taboos about female sexuality,” McNaught said.
“There are so many different stories a Lane Cove audience may never have even considered.”
McNaught wants to pursue an acting career. She is currently studying for a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Sydney, majoring in Gender Studies.
The Vagina Monologues plays November 6-13, 2015
Performers and Crew
Directed by Megan Spindler, the cast includes Lauren McNaught, Lilli Toll, Portia Prednay, Kelly McGowan, Sasha Murray, Nicole Smith, Kathryn Thomas, JoAnna Ferrari, Belinda Humphries and Rose Edwards.