An explicit play which celebrates and explores women's sexuality while drawing attention to abuse has had floods of people queuing up to perform.

The Vagina Monologues, which has wowed audiences across America, will feature around 20 locals performing the pieces at City Hall next month to raise money for the Women's Resource Centre.

The show, written by playwright Eve Ensler after interviewing diverse people including a Long Island antique dealer and a Bosnian gang-rape victim, mixes humour, pain, outrage and sexuality in a bid to break taboos and encourage open discussion.

It has been performed by a cast of stars on the US stage including Teri Hatcher, Brooke Shields, Erica Jong, Alanis Morrissette, Ricki Lake and Calista Flockhart.

And it is creating a buzz here. Director Carol Birch said: "People are beating down my door to be in it. I wish I could take them all. It's really exciting."

Singer Deletta Gillespie, local Amnesty International Director LeYoni Junos and National Gallery Director Laura Gorham are all set to perform said Ms Birch.

And she encouraged people not to condemn the show without seeing it, but she admitted it would be a challenge to Bermuda's sometimes conservative reputation with the title often provoking shock.

"But then people want to know what it's all about. Anyone who has seen it wants to be part if it. They come out raving about it even if they had closed minds before. I think it's how we all feel but no one dares talk about it."

"A lot of people are not ashamed to talk about these things," Ms Birch said. "I am hoping all factions will get behind it."

She said after-show question and answer sessions in other countries had led to audience members telling incredible stories.

"I hope it will happen here. It's not all miserable."

Lisabet Outerbridge, codirector of the Waterspout theatre company, who are putting on the show along with the National Gallery, Bermuda Musical and Dramatic Society and Marico Thomas, said: "We are always interested in something that encourages people to think about issues.

"The Vagina Monologues has made people think about domestic violence. It's something that should be done here."

"I don't know how Bermuda is going to take it. I have never seen anything like this in Bermuda."

She said it would help conservative Bermuda face up to domestic abuse which was kept hidden because people were afraid to talk about it.

But she said the play had its lighter moments and people should expect a performance not a lecture.