Let's talk sex

Moderating a post-show Q&A at a contemporary dance performance some time ago, I recall a Thai choreographer-director’s answer to an audience member who said, quite frankly, that he didn’t understand what the artist wanted to convey in this work. 

“You have to watch it again,” he said. “It’s a contemporary work. I’ve watched it in rehearsals and performances almost 100 times and I make adjustments here and there every day.” 

I haven’t seen that particular audience member again at any contemporary performance. The artist’s attitude, though, is not uncommon and one of the many reasons why just the words “contemporary dance” on a poster tend to be a turn-off for many potential spectators. 

The poster for the contemporary dance work staged last Wednesday at the Democrazy Theatre Studio had exactly the opposite effect.

Thailand-born and US-educated dancer, choreographer and actress Vidura Amranand’s new solo performance “One-Night Stand” drew audience members curious about the title. A photo of her, in scanty attire, in a weekly free magazine was a further incitement to come.

It was evident from the very start of the performance that Vidura wanted to connect with us, her audience. Busy tapping different parts of her body, she still managed to tap me lightly on my shoulder as I walked towards my seat. Many chairs were graced with a packet of disposable moist towelettes, and used ones hung from the ceiling. She looked and smiled at each and every member of the audience, and at the end of this opening scene, moved towards us, asking one woman to take off her tank top and a few others to clean her hands and arms with the towels. 

Settling in her seat, the same kind of chair as ours, she shared her personal stories covering such issues as open relationships, monogamy, threesomes and oral sex. She directed questions to us and was given sincere answers in return. It was clear that she wanted to hear different experiences and attitudes rather than just reveal hers. Interestingly, while some questions might have shocked certain members of the audience, this scene itself had no shock value. It was a semi-public conversation on topics that should be discussed in person – and I wouldn’t count social media as in person – with those we trust, and of course by that time we already trusted Vidura. 

Her connection with us was not merely verbal and physical though as she maintained eye contact with us throughout this first part. It’s only when she moved upstage and became separated from us by a transparent cloth, then to a corner where she sincerely revealed her fears, that the performance became more heartfelt. In final scene, it was as if she, representing Thai women, had many more pains she hadn’t yet shared with us. 

Although I wish that Vidura had made more use of the physical space, that lighting designer Kemmachat Sermsukchareonchai had been able to further enhance certain moments, and that set designer Jenwit Narukatpichai had more keenly decorated the space, “One Night Stand” delivered its message to its audience. It was a reminder that teen pregnancy and Aids remain major issues here and asked whether we need to rethink our attitude towards sex and sex education in schools in this era of social media. 

She didn’t show us all her movement skills but instead carefully selected those that lent themselves to the subject matter. And when she spoke to us, which was about one-third out of the whole hour of performance time, English surtitles were projected.

Chatting with a fellow audience after the performance, I commented how glad I was that my girlfriend hadn’t been free to join me at the theatre as all my answers would have been different. 

Evidently, certain Thai men still don’t know how to talk frankly about sex.

 

MANY MORE NIGHTS

“One-Night Stand” continues from tomorrow until Saturday and from April 7 to 9 at Democrazy Theatre Studio on Soi Saphan Khu. It’s off Rama IV Road, a five-minute walk from MRT Lumphini, Exit 1.

Tickets are Bt450 (Bt400 in advance). Call (092) 252 0024 or check www.Facebook.com/|democrazystudio.