'I was in the stage production of Trainspotting in 2006,” says Laura Harvey. "We toured the UK and I got to know the producers who are also responsible for Vagina.

"Consequently, last year I ended up as the understudy for the celebrities".

This explains how an otherwise ‘straight’ actress from a serious drama background (you’ll have seen her in the likes of TV's Taggart and Rebus) has ended up performing in one of the most controversial stage shows ever.

Perhaps predictably, the audience of the Vagina Monologues is usually made up of 95 per cent women.

"But we don’t alienate men." Laura tells me. "It’s a lighthearted show overall.”

She laughs: "I can’t get away from the ***** word on stage, what with Trainspotting and now this, but obviously in very different contexts!"

So is it embarrassing to perform in the Vagina Monologues?

"No not really," she says. "I treat it like all other material. It’s quite funny, maybe a bit cringy, but the magic is that we’re all in it together, us and the audience.

“You can’t be too embarrassed, it’s all about having fun.”

And Laura assures me there’s a real sense of camaraderie between herself and the other actresses in the show, Abi Roberts and Grace Kingsley.

Roberts and Kingsley are also known as ‘straight’ actresses but seem to revel in the fun of this production, which is a good thing as a lot of the show is ad libbed.

The show consists of a series of monologues about intimate women’s issues. So, is Laura happy with the particular monologues that she’s performing?

“Oh yes.” she says, "except perhaps the one where I’m mimicking an orgasm. My mum was in the audience that night when I did that. It’s not really the kind of thing you want to act in front of your mother.” How then would you convince those of a slightly nervous disposition to come and see the show?

“Well, there is audience participation, but we don’t drag you up on stage and tell you to show us your bits or anything like that,” she explains. “It’s all about having a giggle together, sharing stories and mutual cringing.”

But if she weren’t appearing in it, would Laura go along to see the show with friends?

"Oh yes! It strikes exactly the right balance between good fun and touching on serious issues. The monologues are frank, poignant, they’re not all totally silly, but it’s absolutely a positive, empowering piece. It’s not at all to be feared, and we’re not into men bashing either."

"In fact," she adds, "it seems that it may actually be quite educational for the menfolk if they can brave an evening of lady talk."

What did she think then when she was first offered the part?

"As an actress it’s a blessing just to be working," Laura says candidly.

"And this is such a pleasure of a piece that I jumped at the opportunity. It’s a fun experience, but of course touring can be hard, being in a difference city every night. It’s a good job the whole cast gets along so well.”

And what about different reactions from audiences in different parts of the UK?

"Well there’s nowhere in England where we haven’t been well received," she says. "Although there are some audiences that start out more conservative than others, but everyone loves it in the end.

"We’ve played in places that perhaps don’t have a regular theatre-going audience so we’re something a bit different. And of course, the clue about the show is in the title."

Laura Harvey is starring in the Vagina Monologues at the New Theatre in Oxford next Tuesday. For more details, call 0870 6063500.