Remember the Vagina Monologues popping through the theatre charts in 2001? Ryan Luhning, Sean Bowie and Eugene Stickland, the three conspirators behind Cocktales, do. In their opinion, the Monologues was rather uninviting to those who didn’t possess the sex organ of discussion.
“Why can’t guys talk about their cocks?” pondered Bowie, the thoughtful Cocktales director.
And that’s where the idea emerged. Eugene, a veteran playwright and one of ATP’s prize possessions, jumped to make a nation-wide call for submissions, while Luhning, artistic director and founder of Ground Zero Productions, worked his magic to pitch the show around town. Pumphouse Theatre fittingly became the Cocktales stage.
Cocktales was such a hit last season, that a second coming was a natural progression–with a marked twist, of course. Cocktales 2: Mr. and Ms. Conceptions, makes its way back to the Pumphouse this November, but this time, the boys have invited the girls to play.
“Cocktales 1 was much like a confessional for guys who timidly talked about their experiences,” reflects Eugene.
“The theme was light, innocent and comedic,” adds Bowie.
Cocktales 2 changes the atmosphere to include female monologues. Guys talk about girls, and girls talk about guys. Any topic related to the genitalia is fair game. It is a play that explores the misconceptions in sexual relationships.
As Eugene puts it, “Cocktales 2 is really The First Sexual Encounters: Intrigue of a Close Kind.” Ryan Luhning covers up the poetry and sticks to the sales pitch; “this show is sexual, provocative, and funny.”
Cocktales 2 is classic locker-room talk and slumber party gossip emerging on stage. The educational benefits become just as important as the comedy.
“I learned just how much of a guy I am,” jokes Bowie, and the other two agree.
“Even though some of the monologues make me gasp”, says Eugene, “they are inclusive to the whole audience.”
After the second run of Cocktales, what will be on the agenda for these three collaborators?
“Fetishes,” decides Eugene. “Monologues about fetishes,” adds Ryan. Bowie laughs and nods, “it is a trilogy in the making.”
No matter what the next concoction holds, Cocktales 2 is a show sure to offend and delight. It is pitched to those who loved Cocktales 1, and to anyone between the ages of 14 and 82 curious enough to discover truths beneath the beltline. It’s a perfect piece for a first date, the three men wittingly agree, because there’s nothing like a show about genitalia to break the ice. Mix stories about the two sex organs together, and out come Mr. and Ms. Conceptions, which may prove to be Calgary’s own guide to relationship clarification.
Cocktales 2 runs at the Pumphouse Theatre, Nov. 5-23.