Review: "In the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play)"

Do you know the history of the vibrator?

The vibrator started off as a way to cure women of hysteria.  The hysterical paroxysm, also known as an orgasm, would help relieve women of their hysteria.  Often times, women needed several sessions in order to be cured.  But really, if I were in that situation, I'd keep faking hysteria occasionally just to continue treatments.

This story is celebrated in the play "In the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play)," which was showing at the Boston Center for the Arts.  Click on the link to take you to the Wikipedia article, which has a plot summary.

"In the Next Room" Playbill

On Thursday, October 7th, I joined friends for a Girl's Night Out for some delicious pizza and ice cream at PICCO (Pizza and Ice Cream Company) in the South End, followed by a showing of "In the Next Room."

To be honest, I didn't read anything about the play, so I knew very little about it.  I knew it was about the history of the vibrator, so I imagined that it would be quite funny at times.

The first half had me almost falling out of my seat!  Not only from laughing so hard, but also from trying to crane my neck to watch the women "receive treatment."

I have to say, Kudos to the actresses and actors who were acting out their hysterical paroxysms!  Though it was clearly acting, it was also quite accurate.  Absolutely lovely to watch.

The second half was much more serious, and spoke more of the struggles of the married women with their marriages.  The main couple and main patient were spectacular.  I could really feel the emotions.

The set of the play was mainly the living room of the Givings' home and the operating theater, "in the next room."  It was beautifully constructed, and looked like such a large space on a small stage.

I thoroughly enjoyed the play, and it was a fabulous time with my girlfriends.  At some point, I even managed to give out my business card to someone in the audience.

If you ever get a chance to see this play, I highly recommend it.  If anything, you will learn a bit about what it really takes to make relationships work.

With that, I'd like to show you some information about the history of the vibrator from the playbill.  Click on the images for the larger version.