Willies: June 2004 Archives

Russia: Rasputin's family jewels, lovingly preserved in a pickle jar, are about to go on display in a Russian museum of erotica.

In a more innocent age, it was said that Gregory Efimovich Rasputin's legendary power over women was due to his piercing eyes.

But a new museum of erotica here suggests that the mad monk's charm may instead have been, ahem, concealed beneath his cassock.

Measuring 28.5cm (about 11 inches) — allowing for shrinkage caused by pickling — Rasputin's penis displayed in a tall glass bottle is, to put it delicately, a big attraction at the museum.

Australia: The City of Townsville, and a behind-the-times church continues to whinge about Puppetry of the Penis, several years after it wowed audiences at the Edinburgh Fringe. Despite record-breaking ticket sales, the Townsville Calvary Assembly of God feels the show is not wanted in their community, and wants to preserve a surprisingly Neopagan attitude to sex:

I don't think people realise the implications of this show -- it is full of brazen exhibitionism and sexual connotations that simply debase something sacred. It debases sex and makes it animalistic and a figure of fun.

Penis puppetry angers church - Townsville Bulletin, 9th June 2004.