What a month it was.....

Its finished, over, done.... but what a month it was. Saturday night saw the 'See You Next Tuesday' festival close with a Gala for the Women of the Congo. A night of celebration, performances and dancing; a glorious way to end an awe inspiring festival. After 6 performances, The Vagina Monologues came to a close at 4pm on Saturday. It was such an amazing experience, each year I know i want to be involved with this movement, but it is generally not until afterwards that i realise just how important it is, and what a great effect it has on me. This year was no different. We had an aim to raise £2000 which will pay for 100 women in the Congo to have a years worth of self defense lessons. I'm not quite sure of exact figures yet, but i know that due to the incredible generosity of audiences we are very close to reaching that goal. What an amazing achievement!! Emma-Jane, Annie, Cassie, Debs, and Gems your girls are unreal, thank you for all of your laughter and smiles the last few weeks, working with you made this years production unforgettable!

The Gala on Saturday night was such a celebration and really was the perfect end to the festival, it was also a time to think about everything that i have learned over the last few weeks. We had all been working so hard in the weeks leading up to the performances, knowing how much we wanted to raise and exactly what it was for, that i didn't have a chance to think about the change that this money would actually make. It wasn't until Saturday night that i had time to reflect on the V-Day movement and how strongly i feel about it. The evening included guest speakers, performances of monologues and amazing live music from a beautiful choir and Congolese band called Kasai Masai (book them now.. seriously they are amazing). I performed with Annie and Gemskii (two of the Vagina monologues cast) a monologue from Eve Ensler's new publication 'I am an emotional creature; the secret life of girls around the world'. Sam Roddick, owner of lingerie brand Coco de mer, gave an impassioned speech about her recent trip to the Congo and the reality of life for the women there. I don't think any words have hit me harder than Sam's very simple statement; 'we are all implicitly linked'. It is not a choice that we have to make, it is not something that we can ignore or choose to dismiss. Women are being destroyed in the Congo and we can, and must do something about it. If you don't know about the situation in DRC i implore you to get hold of the film 'Until the Violence Stops' i assure you after watching that film you will understand why i feel so proud to be part of the V-Day Movement, and how important, and necessary it is for the movement to continue doing the work it does!!!

A massive thank you to all the festival crew, all at the New Players Theatre and Jeremy with his donation bucket and amazing victoria sponge cake. You guys rock, and should all feel very proud!!

So... what am i going to do now?? well firstly i might indulge myself and have a couple of nights at home with more than 5 hours sleep and nicer food than a sarnie thats been in my bag since breakfast :) Not for long though, i have been cast in a couple of webisodes for a new comedy series... watch this space, and also have a couple of offers for shows at the edinburgh fringe festival that need serious consideration! oooh i'm also planning a week island hopping in Croatia this summer... only thing is i'm going to be swimming between islands! I predict my lazy nights are about to be over run by googling must see spots on the Croatian islands :)

Opening Night.....

I hate the last few seconds before i walk on stage. I hate it. Hate it. Hate it. I am sure i am not alone when i say, my hands start to sweat, my tongue gets dry, i cannot stop the thought that everything i have practiced and rehearsed over the weeks leading up to opening night will somehow, strangely, be immediately erased from my memory as soon as i step foot on stage. This opening night was no different... poor fellow actress and 'See You Next Tuesday' producer Annie Saunders, was subjected to some expletives and fretting as we waited in the wings, and then as the house lights went down (and i suddenly remembered how to breathe) i stepped out and......... was absolutely in my element! It is such a strange feeling. Momentarily going from, questioning your own career choice, to realising no other occupation could compare!!!!!

Press Night for the Vagina Monologues was on Friday 5th, and then yesterday 09.03.10 we opened to the public. The last few weeks have been extremely full on for us all, working full-time and rehearsing every other spare minute, but the response that we received last night made all the aches and pains tiredness and work 100% worth it.

We spread the word about women around the world, and the audience gave generously to our cause to raise £2000 in order to pay for 100 women at the City of Joy in the Congo, to have a years worth of self defense lessons. The evening therefore was a complete success!

Being on stage talking about the issues that are still happening all over the globe made me realise how important The Vagina Monologues still are as a piece of theatre. Some people think they're out dated because they were written 15years ago. Some people deem it to be indulgent. Some just think its women talking about hating men. It could be farther from these descriptions. Until the time comes when a woman says 'NO', and it means NO, until women are not seen as weak or insignificant, until violence against women stops permanently then i believe there will always be a place for The Vagina Monologues, and i would encourage everyone, men and women alike, to become involved in this important and necessary movement.

So, with that in mind, the performance dates for the remaining shows are 12th, 13th, 16th, 19th, 20th. Tickets are selling fast which is absolutely fantastic but be sure to book now to avoid missing out!

Thank you to everyone who came to support x