This monologue aims to explore a wide range of issues concerning relationships
among people who come from different countries, as well as focusing on the
difficulties that foreign women encounter in a fast paced city like London.
A feminist interpretation of the text is necessary to understand how this work has
taken shape and developed.
As Heddon puts it “It is with the intersection between feminism, autobiography and
performance that i want to begin this study” (Heddon, 2008, pp 21).
I opted for the stand-up comedy format soon after I was introduced to the world of
feminist solo performance and Bridget Christie in particular.
To some extent, Christie’s work appears to be quite similar to mine: a
tendency to indulge into self-mocking and self-congratulatory patterns recurs in the
majority of her performances, but especially in the latest show “A bic for her”.?
Her clownish mannerism, combined with an overly committed attack on sexism
have greatly inspired my composition and the staging of it. ?
There is one key difference between Christie’s production and this monologue; that
is my study doesn’t intend to serve any particular political purpose.
Nonetheless, it is my aim to incorporate life experiences into a coherent and
entertaining comedy piece that is able to raise awareness on the extent of problems
that women have to face on a daily basis.
In Utopia in Performance, Jill Dolan (2005) highlights the visceral sense ofcommunity and social connection that people experience when they attend
a show or when they watch a play.
The same feeling i would like to re-create on stage with my performance, because i
believe that although my writing is extremely personable, there are some elements
which…
…ercome negative experiences is to find the humour within.
Being able to laugh about such delicate matters, helps dispelling even the most
unsuitable feelings.
My final thoughts go to this great country and especially to the city of London which
has taught me that the real challenge is to learn and experience as much as I can
but still manage to preserve my uniqueness as an individual, and my dignity
as a human being.
The goal is to absorb without being absorbed.
Works Cited
Merson,S (2004) Your Name Here: An Actor and Writers Guide to Solo Performance. Star Publish.
Heddon, D (2008) Politics (of self). In: Autobiography in Performance. Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 20-31
Dolan, J (2005) Utopia in performance: finding hope at the theatre. Theuniversity of Michigan press.
Christie, B (2013) A bic for her. [ Soho Theatre, London, 6th december 2013]