The Big O is fast paced, intimate, hilarious and heartfelt exploration of 21st Century attitudes and experiences of female pleasure, orgasm and consent through the eyes of one woman.
The piece is semi autobiographical, partially based on the experiences of emerging writer Kim Cormack; a neurodiverse, care experienced, anorgasmic creative from the West Midlands.
” The 21st Century response to The Vagina Monologues.” – Stephanie Dale
“Aggressively relatable.” – Audience Member
“The Big O is a powerful, moving, insightful and unexpectedly funny exploration of a woman’s battle with her past and how it impacts on the present. Kim Cormack is a writer of talent and she has found an important subject to confront.” – David Edgar
Press & Reviews
Theatre Bab -March 2022
I love new writing. But what I love even more, is new feminist writing. And what I love EVEN more, is new feminist writing by a fellow Brummy!
✅: Written by Brummy-babe Kim Cormack, ‘The Big O’ follows Lucy, a young adult navigating 21stC dating whilst battling anorgasmia.
I’m sure we’ve all seen the headlines: ‘4 out of 5 women CAN'T reach climax’*; ‘men… 20% more likely than women to orgasm during sex’*. Articles such as these spotlight ‘The Orgasm Gap’ - the inequality in orgasms between couples. However, unlike anorgasmia, the women & people w/ vulvas interviewed usually could climax alone, but not with a partner. These studies point to poor research & education into women’s sexual health & pleasure.
Yet, anorgasmia is different. Anorgasmia is a medical condition faced by 4.6% people w/ vulvas* where they cannot orgasm despite ‘adequate stimulation’. It is a hugely important topic, faced by so many people, & yet, it is under-researched & under-discussed.
‘The Big O’ aims to fill this gap.
I was sent a recording of the abridged rehearsed-reading at Wolverhampton Arena Theatre in Feb 2021, with Emma Friend taking the role of Lucy (who I thought read this part to perfection). Due to it not being a finished production, the play was read from scripts, with no set & minimal tech. But for me, this really worked. The opening scene featured Lucy sitting on a chair talking candidly to the audience. It brimmed with Fleabag sass & vulnerability.
Cormack’s writing is sharp, honest, & raw as Lucy struggles to find answers. Yet, amongst the dark, Cormack finds the light, splicing in brilliant moments of comedy. One of the highlights was Lucy in her bedroom with her best mates (Molapo and Chima), giggling about their recent hook-ups & fantasies (‘up a tree’ was my fa
Cast & Creative Team Writer/Producer - Kim Cormack (Ripped Theatre : Co Founder and Director, Crescent Theatre: Actress, Write Away (Birmingham Rep), JMK Directors, Tower Theatre Company : Assistant Director, Almeida Theatre: Assistant to director Mike Attenborough, Mumbling Fool Theatre Company: Producer).
Director - Lotte Ruth Johnson (Founder and Lead Coach : Actors Cove, Blink theatre, Theatre 503).
Dramaturg - Grace Barrington
Assistant to Producer - Emma Friend
Stage Management - TBC
Tech - TBC
Consultants: David Edgar, Stephanie Dale, Evie Fehilly and Jess Pearson.
Cast to be announced January 2023