Vagina Monologues

As the show with an 'O' arrives in Crewe, Tamzin Hindmarch asks long-standing Vagina Monologues cast member Jenny Eclair why she's crying out for more.

IT'S just before 11am, and the nation's favourite Grumpy Old Woman, Jenny Eclair, admits she's already been making a nuisance of herself.

At the hotel where she's staying for the Coventry leg of her UK tour with The Vagina Monologues, she admits: "I've already had to call for help three times.

"There was a mess of water everywhere from when all the water dripped out of the iron; it's not my fault, it is a leaky iron.

"The room also has one of those flat screen televisions that is so flat that I can't find the knob to turn it on. Apparently, it's around the side. So with these things and needing another rug on my bed because it's a bit cold, I've had the poor cleaning girl in here three times with my calls for help."

Jenny is often among the well-known ladies voicing the nation's views as to what's not so hot about life in the Noughties. Her recognisable television image means others often come forward to share their woes with her, whether she's walking down the street or wheeling a trolley around Waitrose.

"It's in the supermarket usually when I'm trapped in a large queue. That's when they like to share their gripes," she says, of the general public's tendency to voice their views when they're around her. It may not match the romantic ideal of falling in love with a stranger over the frozen peas, but she says she doesn't mind.

"A gripe said is a gripe shared, or inflamed mostly, because I usually goad the aforementioned person with a gripe even more," she says, cheerfully.

Alongside writing for and appearing in Grumpy Old Women, Jenny, who was the first ever female to win the prestigious Perrier award, has been a cast member on and off of The Vagina Monologues since 2001.

The Vagina Monologues is based on a project undertaken by its creator Eve Ensler, in which she approached 200 women of all ages from around the world to talk about a range of taboo subjects. Their varied experiences, some amusing, others tragic, were then compiled into a script which has since been read out by an ever-changing cast of three – Kate Winslet and Jerry Hall having been among their number.

Offering an insight into what it's like to be on the road with present cast co-stars Jennifer Ellison, and Stoke-on-Trent's own Anthea Turner, Jenny reveals: "We're having a terrific time!"

"I don't think there's any other show in which you'd see someone like myself, Jennifer, and Anthea or Wendi Peters cast alongside each other," she continues, of the brazen show.

"Anthea's suitcase is immaculate. When we got to the hotel last night she immediately started unfolding her cashmere throws in her room.

"She also had this Swiss army knife bottle opener, so she opened a bottle of beer for Jennifer's boyfriend, and a most wonderful bottle of Chablis.

"Jennifer is great fun and immensely gutsy. She is incredibly gung-ho and has a fabulous boyfriend, who we've now adopted.

"I, on the other hand, feel like a twisted Toby jug. I'm wearing my best jumper. It's really nice, but it smells of old dogs because I've washed it and it hasn't dried properly. I think I'll have to ask Anthea what to do about it."

As Wendi joins the cast for the Crewe Lyceum date in Anthea's place, she adds: "I'm really looking forward to Wendi joining us. One of the things that is really nice about being in The Vagina Monologues for me, is that I've made some really good friends over the years. But for the women in the audience its a bonding experience too."

The Vagina Monologues can be seen at Crewe Lyceum Theatre on Wednesday, February 11, at 7.30pm. For tickets, call 01270 537333.