What did you think of The Vagina Monologues? Enjoyed it? Thought it was good fun? Wished for a male counterpart of the play? Well, Trevor Zahra thought of that and combined it into a Maltese script. To be fair we cannot call it the male "counterpart" because the script has its own character and is not some carbon copy of the Vagina Monologues but according to producer Adrian Buckle, "These are monologues, very much in the vein of The Vagina Monologues. They talk about man and his manhood: adolescence, puberty, chastity, sexuality, impotence, etc. They are a reflection on humanity but also given a very comic treating by Trevor".
Unifaun is in fact staging its next theatrical project at the Manoel Theatre later this month. It will be called Minn Wara ż -Żipp, written by Trevor Zahra. It's all about the organ that hides behinds that zip and gives rise to the existential problems encountered when you have one of them. Like The Vagina Monologues, here we are faced with different situations through a script which while being somewhat comical actually deals with rather serious topics; topics that can be relatively tabooed not because of the actual P word but because of the feelings of shame they may bring to a man as is the case with impotence. The latter is an example of a very common problem; so why not bring up the subject?
That brings us to the "moral of the story". Do men feel uneasy to talk about their organ? Didn't we all think it was women who avoided the subject of the downstairs department? Apparently not, men can feel just as discomfited. On the other hand men might feel the need to be open about the subject just like some women do. The point is sexual organs may cause food for thought and problems alike, enough to write a script about them. If they affect our everyday life why not dramatise about it?
The play will not have many props backing it up. And who needs them when we must focus on the organ anyway? Three experienced comics will recite the problems of youth, middle age and old age and the different stages of being a man.
Adrian Buckle has called on Snits, Jean Pierre Busuttil and Renato Dimech. "All three are experienced comics and were more than eager to take on this challenge," he said.
The play is rated 16 so please make sure you are licensed to enter and when you do be ready for a good laugh and Mr Zahra's sharp sense of humour ‒ just my cup of tea personally.
"Trevor has a wry and witty sense of humour. He explores man's frustrations, embarrassments and anxiety, but always gives it that special 'Trevor' twist. It is the situations he creates and the characters he presents. In a way, even the moments of tenderness and pathos contribute to the humour," explained Mr Buckle.
Unifaun had really made its mark on theatre over the past two years and keeps doing so mostly by presenting us with an intense subject and a strong cast and direction. The direction here is once again in the capable hands of Chris Gatt.
"As for intensity, I don't know about intense but I regard making people laugh as one of the most noble and difficult things to do. When I choose a play to put on, I make sure it has something to say. Trevor's script talks about humanity in Malta today. That is what I love about it. People will laugh, definitely, but they will also see themselves in these monologues," said Mr Buckle.
• Minn Wara ż-Żipp is being staged at the Manoel Theatre on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Tickets may be obtained from the booking office by phone on 2124 6389 or by e-mail: bookings@teatrumanoel.com.mt
Unifaun is in fact staging its next theatrical project at the Manoel Theatre later this month. It will be called Minn Wara ż -Żipp, written by Trevor Zahra. It's all about the organ that hides behinds that zip and gives rise to the existential problems encountered when you have one of them. Like The Vagina Monologues, here we are faced with different situations through a script which while being somewhat comical actually deals with rather serious topics; topics that can be relatively tabooed not because of the actual P word but because of the feelings of shame they may bring to a man as is the case with impotence. The latter is an example of a very common problem; so why not bring up the subject?
That brings us to the "moral of the story". Do men feel uneasy to talk about their organ? Didn't we all think it was women who avoided the subject of the downstairs department? Apparently not, men can feel just as discomfited. On the other hand men might feel the need to be open about the subject just like some women do. The point is sexual organs may cause food for thought and problems alike, enough to write a script about them. If they affect our everyday life why not dramatise about it?
The play will not have many props backing it up. And who needs them when we must focus on the organ anyway? Three experienced comics will recite the problems of youth, middle age and old age and the different stages of being a man.
Adrian Buckle has called on Snits, Jean Pierre Busuttil and Renato Dimech. "All three are experienced comics and were more than eager to take on this challenge," he said.
The play is rated 16 so please make sure you are licensed to enter and when you do be ready for a good laugh and Mr Zahra's sharp sense of humour ‒ just my cup of tea personally.
"Trevor has a wry and witty sense of humour. He explores man's frustrations, embarrassments and anxiety, but always gives it that special 'Trevor' twist. It is the situations he creates and the characters he presents. In a way, even the moments of tenderness and pathos contribute to the humour," explained Mr Buckle.
Unifaun had really made its mark on theatre over the past two years and keeps doing so mostly by presenting us with an intense subject and a strong cast and direction. The direction here is once again in the capable hands of Chris Gatt.
"As for intensity, I don't know about intense but I regard making people laugh as one of the most noble and difficult things to do. When I choose a play to put on, I make sure it has something to say. Trevor's script talks about humanity in Malta today. That is what I love about it. People will laugh, definitely, but they will also see themselves in these monologues," said Mr Buckle.
• Minn Wara ż-Żipp is being staged at the Manoel Theatre on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Tickets may be obtained from the booking office by phone on 2124 6389 or by e-mail: bookings@teatrumanoel.com.mt