The ultimate girls’ night out is coming to the Central Theatre, Chatham.

The Vagina Monologues is based on author Eve Ensler’s interviews with more than 200 women from around the world about sex, relationships and violence.

It first played in 1996 as a one-woman show when its explicit nature sparked controversy, but the show proved hugely popular and is still being performed around the world almost 20 years on.

It stars Hollyoaks’ Terri Dwyer and Hollie-Jay Bowes alongside Diane Keen, who recently finished a 10-year stint on the BBC show Doctors.

Terri said: “The fact it has been running for 20 years and still sells out is a testament to the show and proves there is still an appetite out there for it.

“It enables women to talk and giggle about it. Women do love to talk about it if they are given permission.”

Terri, best known for her six-year-stint as Ruth Osbourne in Hollyoaks, will perform three monologues – one on rape camps in Bosnia, another of a woman unable to reach an orgasm and the third a tale of a lawyer turned sex worker.

“The show is an eye opener. Before the play I didn’t even know there were rape camps in Bosnia and that they use rape as a weapon in war-ridden times. I felt really ignorant about that.

“People have misconceptions about sex workers as well.

“They think that women who go into that kind of trade are a from a certain walk of life.
“The woman in the monologue was a lawyer who realised she was bored of being one so became a sex worker.

“I have to have lots of orgasms in the show in front of lots of people, but you have to have little inhibitions when you are doing something like this.”

She also warned the show is not aimed at a shy audience.

“It is not for the delicate ear. If you are going to be embarrassed or uncomfortable, you will not enjoy it as much.

“There are uncomfortable moments to challenge people’s perception and ideas, but it’s also a good laugh.

“If you want a night out and don’t want to be taxed too much, then this is the show.

“There is so much theatre around, but this is different and it is quite enlightening how different cultures view their women’s parts.”

The show is on Saturday (October 5) at Chatham's Central Theatre. Tickets £18 and £19.50.

In today's Medway Messenger, there is a chance to win tickets.

• For other ticket details, see www.medwayticketslive.co.uk