Pomme Is French For Apple

A hit at the Toronto Fringe and a labour of love for co-creators Liza Paul and Bahia Watson, Pomme Is French For Apple demonstrates from the outset that vagina dialogues are a lot more entertaining than vagina monologues. While the title makes clear the Gallic translation, Paul and Watson quickly explain where the sketch show's focus will lie: "In Jamaica, it means pussy." Such is our infinitely explorable theme for the duration.

Once the initial novelty of two vaginas talking in West Indian accents has passed, audiences may be surprised to find that much of the comedy treads very familiar ground: the absurdities of the dating scene, idiotic men, overprotective mothers, self-delusion versus reality and some minor scatology. However, such staple setups should be taken in the context of the show's overall mission: this is conventional humour, pointed in a very specific, very necessary direction.

It is easy to say that women should be free to talk about their bodies and sex lives, but quite another to execute this principle with such bravado and flair, particularly in a comedy scene that has, perhaps, not entirely divested itself of misogynist tropes. A few of the skits are patchy (the problem with fart jokes is they're all essentially the same joke) but Paul and Watson's comedic, creative and musical talent shines through regardless.

It is traditional in such circumstances to warn off the easily embarrassed. But the human body does not deserve embarrassment. Sometimes though, it does merit a few laughs.