[Like a Prayer]
Grief, masturbation, and the catholic church – the holy trinity of Tatiana Hotere’s Pores and skin Starvation, a one girl present that explores life after the dying of a partner and the way grief could make you unexpectedly attractive.
Returning to Q theatre after a sell-out season earlier this 12 months, the present has been reimagined — reworked from a 3 individual efficiency to a solo rendition, with Hotere passionately performing out all of the elements.
Semi autobiographical, Pores and skin Starvation tells the story of the just lately widowed Eva and her journey into grief and self discovery — clitoris included. As a result of opposite to in style perception ladies don’t cease fascinated about or wanting intercourse after their husbands die. Eva grapples with the ingrained beliefs of her Catholic upbringing, whereas making an attempt to satiate a really actual and human starvation for intimacy.
We missed the present in its final run, however one can’t assist feeling Pores and skin Starvation is elevated by its focus right into a one girl present. Tatiana deeply embodies the characters of her story. Slipping into their pores and skin as if possessed, she performs because the Catholic Priest that haunts her youth, her judging sister, her sexually assured greatest pal Lorraine, and most notably — her husband, Atama. Wealthy and as acquainted as previous pals, it seems like Hotere has been destined to play these characters all alongside.
Intercourse, masturbation, and a formidable assortment of dildos interweave with the themes of grief and disgrace, each of which Eva should overcome. Humour is the coping system. You’re going to look at this with a heavy sinking feeling in your chest, tears in your eyes, whereas concurrently laughing as Eva reenacts a tragic string of failed tinder dates with dildo puppetry.
Throughout the comedic reduction is a crucial message on how disgrace is wielded as a method of oppressing ladies. This disgrace seeks to govern teenage Eva into believing she’s at fault for undesirable advances, and it continues to hang-out her into her forties, the place she pleads for forgiveness from Jesus for the mere ‘sin’ of fascinated about intercourse.
The double customary for girls round intercourse is plain. What Hotere discusses is express, however her braveness lies in her steadfast refusal to succumb to disgrace relating to these subjects. Pores and skin Starvation seeks to redefine the narrative, debunking the notion that intercourse is one thing males do to ladies. As a substitute, the present empowers anybody who has ever felt that self-pleasure was taboo and feminine sexuality a fable.
There have been sure parts of the present’s set design that could possibly be additional realised; integrating the projector display additional into the efficiency may faucet into larger dramatic and comedic impression. The rapid-fire monologues construct rigidity, however in sure stretches slowing down would allow Hotere to additional articulate and permit her dialogue to resonate extra with the viewers. Nevertheless, Hotere’s capacity to seize the viewers along with her storytelling outshines any potential critiques. Her unapologetically candid supply makes you’re feeling as if you’re participating in an intimate dialog together with your greatest pal over a glass of wine, all whereas she seamlessly instructions your entire stage, wearing her nightgown.
Pores and skin Starvation is, all in all, a pleasant and emotionally touching expertise. With unwavering boldness it embraces the chaos of life and love, delivering uncooked, unfiltered honesty. Not afraid to present rise to what we’re all pondering, this present is a welcoming embrace for these looking for a contact of self-love.
Pores and skin Starvation is exhibiting on the Q theatre from 7-11 November, then within the Adelaide Fringe Competition 16-25 Feb 2024.
