"It was quite amazing I didn't expect quite so much humour," said one of the handful of men who attended.
"I enjoyed it. I found it quite moving in parts," said one of the mostly female audience members.
"It was so much fun. Except for having sex, that tops the list!" said one of the actors.
These were some of the comments at the conclusion of a presentation of The Vagina Monologues Saturday evening at the Dekker Centre in North Battleford.
Presented as the Battlefords' commitment to global efforts to stop violence against women and girls, the play commemorated the V-Day movement which has, since 1998, raised over $90 million for local anti-violence organizations.
Saturday's performance and accompanying silent auctionraised funds for the Battlefords Sexual Assault Centre and Battlefords Interval House.
The program for The Vagina Monologues included a disclaimer that the subjects and language may offend. It stated, "Remember that these monologues are based on real woman's stories and are meant to make us aware of the struggles and joys that women face."
A very few people actually left the theatre after the performance got underway, however the remaining audience offered a resounding standing ovation at its conclusion, participating in a commitment to the One Billion Rising movement, a part of the V-Day agenda to activate people against violence.
Audience members shouted out what they are "rising" for, including, "I am rising for all victims of sexual assault," "I am rising because I am tired of guys from my school taking advantage of drunk girls at parties," and "I am rising for the Comp's Rainbow Alliance," (a gay-straight alliance at North Battleford Comprehensive High School.)
Eve Ensler, Tony Award winning playwright, performer and activist, is the author of The Vagina Monologues Originally, in 1996, Ensler performed it as a one-woman play.
It has grown to include additional monologues and has become commonly performed by an ensemble of actors. There were 17 on stage at the Dekker Centre Saturday, plus more behind the scenes.
Ensler's experience performing The Vagina Monologues inspired her to create V-Day, now recognized around the world.
This is the second time Heather O'Neill has organized a Battlefords presentation of The Vagina Monologues as part of V-Day.
Fellow actor Heather Young-Michaud said of O'Neill, "She's fierce, she's focused, she's a leader and she's the reason we stand here united tonight."
The remaining actors were Barb O'Neal, Kali Weber, True Rain Swindler, Ashley Johnson (who also provided choreography), Wendy McGuinty, Rena Weikle, Candice Brown, Jennifer Hawley, Krista Crockett, Annika Lessing, Kjelti Anderson, Leah Tokaryk, Tina Ruberry, Sandra Favel Rewerts and Michele Oxebin.
Behind the scenes contribution included technical support by Sherron Burns (stage direction), Karen Richardson and Rachel Florence.
