It has been 13 years since actress Tameka Empson was last on Shopperland soil, filming her debut film the Thamesmead-set gay romance, Beautiful Thing. But the comedian returns to the area next week to perform in The Vagina Monologues.

As you’d expect from one of the acclaimed comedy trio 3 Non Blondes and would hope for from an actress taking one of the famous stools in the long-running show, Tameka is feisty, funny and warm.

Like Phantom and Les Mis, The Vagina Monologues is one of those shows which needs little introduction.

But for those who have managed to avoid the global phenomenon and all its orgasms, clit facts and stories of underage lesbian seduction during its 13 years of worldwide touring, it’s a series of vagina-themed tales written by playwright Eve Ensler after she interviewed hundreds of women about their own experiences.

Its stories veer from wildly hilarious to heartbreakingly tragic and are delivered by three famous women which have included Winona Ryder, Whoopi Goldberg, Cate Blanchett and Glenn Close.

Joining Tameka is Suzanne Shaw and Sue ‘Marlene’ Holderness.

“They’re fabulous,” said Tameka of her co-stars. “Suzanne is sweet. She’s like a little candy stick. And Sue is just glamour, glamour, glamour. And they’ve made me feel very welcome, because of the three of us, I was the virgin to the act. I’ve never done it before.”

As well as admiring the show for some time and being inspired to stage a spin-off sketch The Bottom Monologues, appearing in The Vagina Monologues is giving Tameka a chance to show audiences she’s more than a comic performer.

Many seem to forget the fact she’s done extensive stage work, been nominated for an Olivier Award for the musical The Big Life and appeared alongside Judi Dench in Notes on a Scandal.

“People don’t tend to know me as a show actress. They might know me from 3 Non Blondes which is fine. It’s really good that they come out to see that but at the same time there’s a monologue I’m doing which is about women who were raped in Bosnia. It is so sad. When I first read it I couldn’t finish it, I felt sick to the stomach, it is so moving and horrific. Again, it’s good for me to go there and show I can do that side of acting.”

She added: “It’s quite liberating, you know. After I’d finished the first show I thought ‘I can do anything now.’ “It’s that whole thing of it being a bit taboo. You don’t talk about your vagina.”

It may be 13 years old but the show still has the clout to shock. It’s not lost any of its power or strength to unify either.

She said: “Among all the monologues, there is something everyone can relate to. It also gives an insight into what other people are thinking, without asking your friends ‘oh, what’s your vagina like?’ “Some people might assume it’s a bit rude, all these women talking about their vagina, but it’s not that way at all. It’s a celebration of womanhood.”

The Vagina Monologues, The Orchard, Dartford. June 11. 8pm. 01322 220000.