Good Vibrations Magazine

By Allison G.

Full of salty songs, the seductive shimmy, and a slew of notable double entendres, this sexy stage gem caused quite a stir when it premiered on Broadway in 1926, and was subsequently closed down by the police; West herself was convicted of obscenity. SEX paved the brassy entertainer’s way to Hollywood, where she became one of the funniest, and most notorious, film icons of the 20th century.

With SEX, Mae West had jumped squarely into the era’s heated debate over gender roles, thoroughly scandalizing proponents of “proper” womanly behavior with her depictions not only of prostitute Margy LaMont but also of society lady Clara. Considered as one of the most influential icons of our century, Mae West was an exemplary entertainer challenging society’s view of gender, sexuality, and women in power.

The Aurora Theatre Company in Berkeley, California has ambitiously resurrected this almost forgotten production with rave reviews and more than a couple raised eyebrows. The GV Weekly spoke with Delia MacDougall, the lead actress taking on the incomparable Mae West, to see what she thought of the saucy Miss West, the play, and if Mae’s words can still shock an audience after all this time.

Keep reading after the interview for show info as well as a special ticket offer just for GV weekly readers!

GV: So tell us what Mae West’s Sex is all about?

Delia: Sex is the story of a red-light district prostitute who wants to nab a “heavy Sugar Daddy” and be draped in diamonds and furs. Through a strange course of events she ends up engaged to the son of a millionaire who she actually cares for but she can’t seem to escape her past.

GV: Why do you think this play is still relevant in today’s culture?

Delia: This 1926 play can seem quaint and dated to our modern day audiences, but the truth is that sex workers are still stigmatized and criminalized. For all the progress our culture has made in terms of sexual liberation this is still an area in which very little progress has been made.

GV: What is your favorite part about this production?

Delia: In the middle of the story the characters end up in a cafe in Trinidad where the British fleet is being entertained, there is singing and dancing- just a wild good time. There are a lot of great singers in the show and piano man and composer, Billy Philidelphia is really wonderful to hear.

GV: What kind of messages are you hoping this play will send to your audience?

Delia: It’s a real good time show, without a heavy message, but the production does celebrate Mae West as a writer who brought the taboo subject into the open, a woman who is frank and unapologetic about her enjoyment of sex, but who handles the subject with great pleasure and humor.

GV: How do you feel stepping into the legendary shoes of Mae West?

Delia: I think of my performance as a tribute rather than an impersonation. It’s a really wonderful persona to take on: sexy, powerful and playful.

GV: How have you prepared for this role, or does this sort of character come somewhat naturally to you?

Delia: I watched all her movies, read many of her biographies and listened to her music, etc. The hardest part is getting my voice placed into her nasal register. The fun part is playing a character who talks to every man like she’s just about to give them the greatest sexual pleasure they have every known.

GV: Mae West originally wrote the play under a pen name. Being an actress, do you also have different personas for different sides of your personality?

Delia: The best part of being an actress is taking on different personalities from show to show. In my real life I’m a pretty straightforward person and I try to avoid pretense.

GV: Do you have any other upcoming sex positive projects coming up in the future after this?

Delia: My next character will be a woman who was viciously raped as a child and ends up becoming a sadistic torturer, so…no, I would not say that it is very sex positive.
***

Delia MacDougall (Margy LaMont) appeared most recently in King Lear at the California Shakespeare Theater, her fifth season with the company. SEX is Delia’s second show for Aurora, having appeared in Joy Carlin’s production of The Old Neighborhood. She has also worked at Berkeley Repertory Theater, ACT, The Alley (Houston), The Intiman (Seattle), La Mama E.T.C. (NYC), Pittsburgh Public, San Diego Repertory, The Magic, Marin Theatre Company, among others. Delia is an actor, director and company member of Word for Word, and an actor and Director for Campo Santo. Special thanks to my Mother, Joan MacDougall, for introducing me to the films of Mae West.

Now playing through December 23

Showtimes: Wed through Sat at 8pm; Sun at 2 & 7pm

Aurora Theatre Company, 2081 Addison Street in Berkeley (just 1/2 block from the Downtown Berkeley BART station) Call 510.843.4822 for tickets

General admission: $40.00 – $42.00 per ticket
Students: half price with a valid I.D. – contact the Aurora Box Office for the discount

Friends of Good Vibrations receive $10 off tickets to Friday and Sunday evening performances – subject to availability and certain restrictions. Call the Aurora Box Office at 510-843-4822 and mention code: “GOOD VIBES” for the deal!