The Israeli playwright behind The Holy Phallus defends his latest show, a religious satire told from a penis's perspective.
by Vivia Sarah Press
October 17, 2005
Several years ago, an Israeli actress in the local production of Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues, said there was "nothing to" the penis. In the member's defense, Israeli playwright Rafael Milo-Amar wrote Phallus Hakadosh (The Holy Phallus), an extended monologue about rape, passion, handicaps, homosexuality and loneliness — all from the point of view of a penis.
The play, which is entirely in Hebrew, received mixed reviews during a recent run at Tel Aviv's Habima National Theater, home of the world's first Hebrew-language company. But foreign producers, among them a producer of HBO specials, are lining up for translation rights, so it may be only a matter of time before an English production of the show hits America. Nerve spoke with Milo-Amar about Lenny Bruce, faking orgasms, and how he got away with turning religious leaders into phallic symbols. — Viva Sarah Press
How is the phallus holy?
It's a satire. In the play, the penis portrays different characters. It lampoons a Christian priest, a Muslim cleric and a Jewish rabbi. I am not disrespectful of religion itself. I don't have a problem with different religions or with believers, but with the people who administrate the religions. The penis becomes holy and, in a way, a new religion comes about, that of The Holy Phallus. Also, there's a sketch in the show where the vagina shrieks out sounds of enjoyment and at the same time ponders a grocery list. The vagina can multi-task. The penis cannot do that, he's one-track minded. He's exposed. The vagina can fake orgasm, the phallus cannot — he either can or cannot perform. He's sacred. And he's sanctified not because he necessarily wanted to be holy, but because of reality, reality forces him to be sacred.
How does modern Judaism deal with the penis?
Judaism has double standards towards the penis: on the one hand, Judaism is in favor of procreation, on the other hand, there's a fear of sexuality. I'm trying to show that just like God created the heart and the kidneys, He is the God who created the vagina and the penis. God gave us creativity and love. God could have created a sexual organ without feeling. So, why did He make it so good if He is against it? God is not against sex, he is in favor. He wants people to enjoy themselves. He is against rape but is in favor of love. The Holy Phallus is about love, not about sex.
Playwright Rafael Milo-Amar
How is the Muslim penis different from the Jewish penis?
I don't really know because the question is very general and just as in Judaism, there are different groups within the Muslim population. I think the extremists react to the penis the same way the ultra religious Jews do: with a lot of fear towards it. In the Muslim community they have honor killings whereby if a woman cheats on her husband, her brother can get up and kill her. They're still very closed about the issue. I don't think I could present my play to a Muslim audience.
The play ran in Tel Aviv, Israel's most secular city. Can it show in the more conservative capital, Jerusalem?
Look, my play is intended for all audiences. I'll be happy if everyone comes to see it. I have been invited to stage it at the Khan Theater [an alternative playhouse in the capital], but I don't think I'll be able to have a run of productions there.
How does the secular Israeli public react to the play?
I've been called sick and courageous by the same people. American stand-up comedian Lenny Bruce used to say in his shows, to a black audience, 'nigger'. Nigger then was a curse word of the highest power. And then he would say it again, 'nigger', 'nigger', 'nigger', 'nigger', 'nigger'. Suddenly the meaning of the word would get lost. It happens in The Holy Phallus as well. When the play opens and actor Yuval Cohen says 'vagina' and 'penis', people at first show surprise. And then as the play continues, the words are repeated so often that they lose their controversial connotation. People realize I didn't come to say 'pooh pooh', 'pee pee,' and what a brave guy I am as a playwright. This is a play with messages be they political or emotional.
When casting did you have any problems?
Three actors turned down the solo part, one because of the material, two others because of scheduling conflicts, before I chose Yuval Cohen. He had trouble with the texts at first, but slowly came around. He's not just playing a male member, but a penis with different characteristics.
What did you ask Cohen to do in his audition?
We worked on the texts like we would work on Shakespeare. We dealt with the texts as texts only. While he looks like a penis now, we worked on all of his poses. I wanted him to have a sly look so that the audience would question itself and say, "Does he mean it or not?" I wanted to create a fine balance between seriousness and cheekiness. There was no porn at rehearsals.
Of the different penis-characters, which penis has been the most controversial? Which has gone over best with the audience?
People were most shocked by the hermaphrodite. I believe every man and woman has both feminine and masculine sides, but in each person one side is stronger than the other. The character everyone likes is the crooked penis. He stands before God and pleads, "Just this once, just this once, let me perform correctly." We've all stood before God and asked for something, albeit not necessarily sex.
Did you consider nudity in your play?
I joked about it but never really thought in that direction. It could be that I didn't even consider it because I know Israeli audiences would find it difficult to watch. Israeli audiences can deal with nudity in film, but live on a stage it would be a tough sell.
How would you describe the sexual culture in Israel?
[Sucks in air] When it comes to sexual problems like needing Viagra, the older generation is more open than the younger one. Overall, there's no openness about sex. Even though more than half the Israeli society is secular, it's a different type of secularism here that includes certain religious elements. You'd find it difficult to find a non-religious Israeli who doesn't celebrate religious holidays in some way or other. People are culturally traditional, and by default conservative in many respects. There are TV shows that deal with sex, but they're still aired late at night so that no one will see. That said, the attitude to sex is changing. My play is being staged at the national theater, Habima. I'm not promoting orgies but I just hope sex will not continue as a taboo.
Would this play have been a hit five years ago?
No way. My play is running because there's no censorship. Five years ago, there was still censorship in the theater.
What was Habima's reaction when you offered the play?
The play was supposed to launch two years ago, but Ya'akov Agmon, then the director-general of Habima National Theater, said, verbatim, "the audiences will slaughter us." Agmon said I'd have to rewrite and revamp the script if I wanted it to be staged at Habima. Fortunately he left his post and was replaced by Dani Tzarfati and Odelia Friedman. [Reporter's note: After leaving his helm, Agmon was slapped with a sexual harassment suit filed against him by a former secretary who told police he made sexually explicit comments towards her.] In the end, I was accepted into the theater's billing without having to change my play. They gave me a lot of freedom with the script. As for now, even though Habima put the play on its bill, the management is still hesitant of including it in their membership listing - the subject matter is still controversial.
Phallus in Hebrew looks like the name, Paulus... any confusion about the play's plot?
[Laughs] There was one well-to-do elderly couple who came to see the play and I have to say I was surprised to see them. After ten minutes they started shifting in their seats. After twenty minutes they were still obviously uncomfortable. At the end of the play they came up to me and told me I must change the play's name. They asked, "What is Holy Paulus? It sounds like a play about the church!" I said, "No, it's Holy Phallus, the story of a penis." So, now I've asked Habima to call the play in its brochure, Holy Phallus: The Story of a Penis.
Is The Holy Phallus a response to The Vagina Monologues?
I wouldn't say it's a reply per se. The writing there is more classic. The Vagina Monologues was overly serious. This play is an allegory. The penis gets stuck in the vagina and on its way out meets different penises/male characters. The Holy Phallus tells of racism, politics, sexuality, and love. For me, the most important scene is the one about rape. There are men who are rapists. They are not me. I felt it was important to cover all aspects of being a guy even if I don't identify with them. I stuck with sensitive male issues. I could have included a skit about a porn star with a fifty-centimeter penis. But I didn't go there. I included situations of a man with a crooked penis, a man who can't get it up, someone who is disabled, and a hermaphrodite, among other characteristics. I kept to people who are looking for love.
The play came about after actress Gila Almagor, who took part in The Vagina Monologues, said there was nothing to say about the penis. I told myself, "I have something to tell her about the penis."
The truth is, you can't really compare the two plays just like you can't compare the vagina and the penis. I was told to do a three-person monologue like they did in Vagina Monologues. The premise of my play is that the penis is lonely; it has to be a one-man play. I am not against the vagina; I am in favor of the penis. The penis itself is comic. Its structure is funny, exposed, and vulnerable. It's not like a woman's vagina. If you see a naked woman, you don't really see her vagina. With men, you see it all.
How did the reception of The Holy Phallus differ from that of The Vagina Monologues? The Vagina Monologues came to Habima after it was performed around the world. It came to Israel already with the stamp of approval from theaters and critics across the globe that it was art. It had a kosher stamp. We're fighting for the kosher stamp that we're legitimate. [The Vagina Monologues was staged in Habima's main auditorium. The Holy Phallus is staged in the theater's fringe auditorium in its basement.] In terms of success, I hope I get to where Vagina Monologues got.
Of the people who've objected to the play, which criticisms affected you the most?
Some religious people posted messages on the Web that said my play is disgraceful and tasteless. I'm from a religious background and nothing in the play was meant to be offensive. It's not a play against religious people. When I satirize the ultra orthodox men in my play I am talking about those who will tear down a poster advertising the play, but will then cheat on their wives or beat their children. I have no problem with those who are truly religious. I do have a problem with those who pretend to be religious.
How will international audiences abroad receive your play?
I think in Japan it will be a huge success. Because of their repressed social society, I understand they have wild clubs where they unwind completely. As for Denmark and the U.S., I have no idea. I came at the play from the point of looking for love and so I think it is a theme that will succeed in all societies.
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