No Malaysia encore for 'Vagina Monologues'

Eve Ensler, writer of 'The Vagina Monlogues'

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (Reuters) -- Authorities in Malaysia's capital city have banned a second run of international hit play "The Vagina Monologues," its promoter said on Thursday.

Marion D'Cruz, executive producer of Five Arts Centre, said City Hall had refused permission for more shows because of what it said were "complaints from many people."

The work, written by Eve Ensler and premiered in New York, had a brief Malaysian run in January, when three local actresses played to packed houses.

"We were booked out even before we opened the first run. People were really clamouring for tickets," D'Cruz said.

The wearing of mini-skirts, rape, visits to the gynaecologist and the dress codes and treatment of Muslim women all feature in often explicit scenes acted by the trio.

The audience at one performance during the January run was made up mainly of younger, local women and some Westerners.

D'Cruz disagreed that the subject matter might be just too hot to handle for Malaysia, a generally conservative country whose multi-racial population includes a majority of Muslims.

"The play stands as an important piece of theatre, dealing with some serious issues of oppression and some things which are a little more funny.

"We do not choose to do controversial things because they are controversial. We have always done work we feel is important."

No one at City Hall was immediately available for comment.