The play had gained equal parts infamy and acclaim for its unflinching exploration and portrayal of human sexuality. While the plot traversed various time periods and scenarios, the explicit depiction of sexuality kept its many viewers engaged. Most notable was Act III, simply entitled ‘Denial’, which contained an extended period of orgasm denial for the scene’s leading actress. It was designed to represent the juxtaposition of society’s desire for female sexuality with its disposition to suppress it.
As the show became more popular, the strain on the cast became greater, as with any show. However, the lead actress for ‘Denial’ suffered the greatest. While the play itself featured such a long, extended duration of intense sexual activity, with her male counterpart making sure to keep her as tortuously close to orgasm as possible without sending her over the edge, the continuous run of the play was making it harder and harder to bear. In order to maintain the most believable and authentic performances, the director had made the actors consent to various things related to their performances; the female star of Denial had agreed to not orgasm at all throughout the entire run of the play.
At first, the few weeks that it was scheduled seemed feasible, though now that it was already coming to the first month, with so many extra dates added, the torment she experienced on a near-nightly basis was hellish, as were the nights which she had off, the constant internal fight against her urges. Though at least the audience always had the most intense, rawest depiction of denial possible on stage.
Continue reading Act III: Denial
