UP bans staging of Vagina Monologues

The state government disallowed Mahabanoo Mody-Kotwal8217;s play Vagina Monologues,which was to be staged at the Sant Gadge auditorium of the UP Sangeet Natak Akademi,Gomti Nagar,on Wednesday because the entry ticket did not mention that it was meant for adults. The play was scheduled to be staged in Lucknow for the first time as part of Repertwahr,an annual theatre event. Culture Secretary Avanish Awasthi said the organisers should have mentioned specifically that the play was meant for adults. The tickets they have issued say that entry of children below five years is not allowed. Tomorrow anyone from the audience can raise objection and file a report against us under the anti-obscenity law, he said,adding that the play cannot be allowed in a state-run auditorium. Organiser Bhupesh Rai said it was a mistake,but added that we were mentioning it verbally to all those who purchased tickets. Rai said he planned to move court. The play is based on a book by Eve Ensler,who interviewed 200 rape victims.