The Amazing Flabby-Breasted Virgin (& Other Sordid Tales)

Written by Ayesha Susan Thomas

Language: English
Approximate duration: 90 mins

SYNOPSIS

There is nothing more dangerous than a woman who chooses who she wants to fuck.

This sensory, interactive theatrical presentation plays with the myths and magical thinking that surround and define the Female Body. A Textbook of Forensic Medicine in standard use across the country today, defines the breasts of a virgin as “hemispherical, firm, plump and elastic”, while that of a “deflorate” woman as “enlarged and flabby”.

If women are flowers waiting to be plucked, crushed and fucked- what does that make men? Men who are uninterested in owning women, who disavow marriage or their pre-defined roles of sexual initiator, aggressor, violator?

This work-in-progress reading navigates some of these questions and follows the threads of various stories to find their source. The subject of study was inspired by the work and writing of Dr Suchitra Dalvi and the Asia Safe Abortion Partnership.

AN EXCERPT

I have a question

Where do babies come from

That’s the question

Is it hiding in my belly

Or my earlobe

Or my tooth

How do I make it grow fat

How do I bring it out of me

How does it even get in

I finished all the sugar

I ate up all the jam

Am I being punished for being greedy

Am I being punished for being quick

Should I have gone with him quietly

Should I have made a big noise

How do I cut it out

The baby

The desire

The anger

The lust

Where do babies come from

Where do babies begin

Is one hiding behind my eyelid

Is one crouching in my skin

Where do babies come from

That’s my question too

If you knew would you tell us

Did they not tell you too?

ABOUT AYESHA

Ayesha Susan Thomas is an Applied Theatre Practitioner who works primarily at the creative intersections of education, gender and sexuality.

Until June 2019, she taught IBDP/IGCSE Theatre at Dhirubhai Ambani International School in Mumbai. She has also worked as a workshop facilitator, dramaturge (The Inspire Passion Project 2014), and director on a range of projects.

In a former life, she curated the Literature section at the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival Mumbai, and performed as a Christmas Elf at an amusement park near Bradford.

She has an MA in Theatre and Global Development from the University of Leeds, UK and a BA in English Literature from the University of Mumbai.

To contact Ayesha, please email ayeshasthomas@gmail.com

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