Five aliens preparing to leave earth in light of an impending nuclear war pose the question, can the clitoris save humanity?

Interview with Writer Ava Bogle

Main image: Claire

Congratulations! Can you tell us about The Pleasure Project? What plans do you have to adapt the play into a film?

The Pleasure Project is a hilarious, irreverent and sexy one-woman show about five aliens preparing to leave earth in light of an impending nuclear war who pose the question: can the clitoris save humanity? It’s a multi-media character comedy that combines music, dance, film, lip syncing and donut holes. No plans currently to adapt it for film, but there’s possibly a television adaptation in our future.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this play?

You should watch The Pleasure Project because it’s a joyful celebration of pleasure and female sexuality. You should watch it because it will make you laugh hard and leave feeling ready to change the world!

How do personal and universal themes work in your play?

I wrote this play from the perspective of aliens because I was interested in looking at female sexuality from an outsider’s point of view, from the perspective of those who didn’t grow up in our sex-shaming, puritanical culture. My director Rachel Avery and I wanted to create this celebration of pleasure as an antidote to all the shame.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

The script evolved from being basically just a collection of monologues based on interviews I conducted with women I knew about sex and masturbation and pleasure and shame. I then filtered this material through the lens of these alien characters I’d already developed a couple years earlier. And then the container for the show became the threat of an impending nuclear war and the aliens trying to convince the humans that the clitoris can save them. The script evolved further as my director and I rehearsed for the Hollywood Fringe Festival, where we premiered in June 2017. Now, as we prepare for Adelaide Fringe next month, we’re going back in and making the script stronger and filming new video elements for the transitions in the show.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

The response has been so positive. Everyone who sees this show loves it. They all come out with big smiles on their faces, which makes me happy. Many women have told me afterwards that they felt empowered by it, which is wonderful to hear. That’s ultimately what the show is all about—sexually empowering women, convincing them how powerful they are and that the clitoris can save us all.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

I guess going in I expected some people to be offended by the show, because it’s about sex and it doesn’t really pull any punches. But to my amazement, even older, more conservative audience members have really enjoyed it and gotten something out of it. My grandmother—who is 88—came three times and loved it every time! Even men enjoy the show, because it’s a very warm and welcoming and joyful experience—it’s not scornful or cynical. We welcome everyone in with open, loving arms. My director Rachel Avery and I worked hard to make the show pleasurable for all audience members.

What are you looking to achieve by having your play more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

If any of your readers happen to be in Australia, come see the show at Adelaide Fringe in February and March! We will also be in Edinburgh in August. We want to reach as many people as possible with this show, so come out and see us!

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this play’s message?

We’re looking for venues and producers who might want to produce The Pleasure Project. The plan is a World Tour, so we’re always on the lookout for our next home away from home. Also searching for a patron of the arts looking to invest in an up and coming show that is funny and timely with a social impact.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this play to have?

I’m hoping that people leave feeling inspired and empowered and having had a wonderful time. I hope the play starts a conversation in the car on the way home. I hope it makes people talk about the taboo things they maybe didn’t feel comfortable talking about before. I think liberating female sexuality is all about bringing it out of the closet and making it okay to talk about. I’m hoping that my shame-free approach is infectious and inspires people to face and then possibly release some of the shame affecting them in their own lives.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this play?

Were there any parts of the show that made you feel uncomfortable? Why do you think that is?

Would you like to add anything else?

Come see the show! I promise you’ll have a good time and won’t leave disappointed. There’s something in it for everybody: music, dance, film, comedy, aliens, sex, wigs, there are drag and burlesque elements. We’ve packed it all into a tight 45 minutes. Spoiler alert: there’s a merkin and it’s amazing.

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

I, Ava Bogle (writer/performer) have a short film, Meryl Fuckin Streep, that is currently playing the festival circuit. Rachel Avery, my director, has a feature script in development as well as a short, The Birthday Party, also playing the festival circuit. My producer Michelle Hanzelova is working on several shows at Rogue Machine Theatre in Los Angeles, where The Pleasure Project premiered.

Interview: January 2018

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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTIQ+, scifi, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

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The Pleasure Project

Five aliens preparing to leave earth in light of an impending nuclear war pose the question, can the clitoris save humanity?

Length: 45 minutes

Director: Rachel Avery

Producer: Michelle Hanzelova

Writer: Ava Bogle

About the writer, director and producer:

Ava Bogle (writer/performer) is a filmmaker, comedian, and sex blogger at DiaryofaSluttyFeminist.com. Her most recent short Meryl Fuckin Streep won Best Experimental Film at Lady Filmmakers Festival, and then screened at Mill Valley Film Festival. www.avabogle.com

Rachel Avery (director) is an award-winning director. Her work at the New York Musical Theater Festival garnered notice in the Huffington Post’s list of top 20 shows for 2011 in NYC. Last year, she directed the pilot Wake Up America! now available on Amazon Prime. www.rachelavery.com

Michelle Hanzelova (producer) has worked at Edinburgh Fringe Festival four years in a row (most recently with The Blind Date Project: www.theblinddateproject.com). In Los Angeles, she stage managed Kim Davis’ Smoke at Rogue Machine Theatre (Hollywood Fringe 2016) and Sheila Callaghan’s We Are Not These Hands (Hollywood Fringe 2017).

Key cast: Ava Bogle

Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): Producers, Venues, Angel Investors

Social media handles:

Facebook: facebook.com/sexandaliens

Twitter: @sexandaliens @avabogle

Instagram: @sexandaliens @avabogle

Other: www.thepleasureprojectshow.com

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?

Adelaide Fringe Festival

Crown & Anchor Hotel

196 Grenfell St, Adelaide SA 5000, Australia

February 27 & 28 at 6:45 pm

March 1, 2, 3, 6, 11 & 18 at 6:45 pm

March 7, 9, 10, 13, 14, 16 & 17 at 7:45pm