[Like a Prayer]
Grief, masturbation, and the catholic church – the holy trinity of Tatiana Hotere’s Skin Hunger, a one girl present that explores life after the loss of life 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 — remodeled from a 3 individual efficiency to a solo rendition, with Hotere passionately performing out all of the elements.
Semi autobiographical, Skin Hunger tells the story of the lately widowed Eva and her journey into grief and self discovery — clitoris included. Because opposite to fashionable perception ladies don’t cease enthusiastic 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 Skin Hunger 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 finest buddy Lorraine, and most notably — her husband, Atama. Rich and as acquainted as outdated associates, it looks like Hotere has been destined to play these characters all alongside.
Sex, masturbation, and a powerful 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 observe 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.
Within the comedic aid is a vital message on how disgrace is wielded as a way of oppressing ladies. This disgrace seeks to control 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 enthusiastic about intercourse.
The double customary for ladies round intercourse is plain. What Hotere discusses is specific, however her braveness lies in her steadfast refusal to succumb to disgrace relating to these matters. Skin Hunger seeks to redefine the narrative, debunking the notion that intercourse is one thing males do to ladies. Instead, 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 might be additional realised; integrating the projector display additional into the efficiency might faucet into higher dramatic and comedic influence. 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. However, Hotere’s capability 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 along with your finest buddy over a glass of wine, all whereas she seamlessly instructions the complete stage, wearing her nightgown.
Skin Hunger 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 considering, this present is a welcoming embrace for these searching for a contact of self-love.
Skin Hunger is displaying on the Q theatre from 7-11 November, then within the Adelaide Fringe Festival 16-25 Feb 2024.
