Alternative Lessons for Women 9:00 pm - 10:00 pm (60min)
The first known female Chinese historian Ban Zhao wrote Lessons for Women《女诫》, which became a widely circulated code of conduct (especially during the Qing and Ming dynasty) for Chinese women, on the virtues they should abide by in society. The book emphasises on women to observe humbleness, obedience, devotion, talking only about their familial roles of wife/daughter/mother/etc. The book seems to teach women the art of attending to others, but nothing about pleasing their own desires. This double-bill seeks to present an alternative experience of women, in particular women dealing with their own inner desires. These two female solo pieces dig into women stereotypes and break down the virtues that women have been told to uphold. Hymen Instinct (30 mins) - Created and Performed by Sonia Kwek “Are you ashamed of your desire?” (In the Realm of the Senses, 1976) The maidenly Moon Goddess harbours a dark secret—she grows a penis every full moon. Meanwhile, the dancing Lady of the Night has a problem—she is unable to orgasm. Can we embrace our deepest desires without being a slave to them? Does purity matter in the pursuit of satisfying our appetite? Subverting the archetypes of the virgin and the whore, Hymen Instinct is a look at the right to an erotic experience of life and sex, where it all begins. What? That's It? (30 mins) - Created and Performed by Tan Weiying An elderly lady tries her utmost to achieve an orgasm, the only way for her to feel closer to her dead lover. -
There will be a post-show dialogue with Sonia Kwek & Tan Weiying on 18, 19 and 20 March from 10pm onwards.
Sexual content, references to genitalia and simulated violence will occur. Ratings to be advised.
