Chlamydia Dell’Arte is billed as a “sex-ed burlesque,” but it plays more like a two-woman variety show. Twelve acts on sexual topics- from oral sex techniques to the differences in meaning between “transvestite”, “transgender,” and “transsexual,” are punctuated by brief videos starring the same two women (Gigi Naglak and Meghann Williams) in granny (not tranny) get up, introducing the sex ed topics to the “class.” Other video segments between acts feature real women sharing their own experiences and views on sexuality.

I wanted to love this show, but like most sexual encounters it was a mix of pleasure and awkwardness. The weakness of a variety show is always that the best acts throw into sharp relief the shortcomings of the ones that don’t quite work. My favourite was a recitation of the balcony scene in Romeo and Juliet, performed as a frenzy of mutual masturbation “O, wilt thou leave me so unsatisfied?” moans Williams clad as Romeo. Naglak’s dance routines- a menstruation ballet and a feathery fan dance- are sparkling. But a monologue by Williams that starts out with a slyly humorous recanting of pre-date grooming rituals suddenly veers into a dark rape anecdote was unsettling and out of place in a show highlighting the weird and wonderful aspects of sex.

A few technical glitches cropped up- not unexpected for a first Fringe show- and Naglak and Williams confidently and gracefully carried on. They make for an entertaining contrast, and their different styles keep each segment entertainingly different and unexpected. And from a lady’s perspective, I loved seeing a show that explores sex and sexuality from a female perspective- after all, you’ll never find another show out there in which a woman converses in depth about contraceptive options with her talking vagina. If the phrase “talking vagina” appeals to you, don’t miss it. If the phrase “talking vagina” weirds you out, then you could probably use the perspective offered by Chlamydia Dell’Arte anyway- so don’t miss it.

Catch Chlamydia Dell’Arte at the Vancouver Fringe- details here!