Vagina Monologues made it into Beijing – Zhang Lijia

The Vagina Monologues made it after a long time onto the stage at the China Media University, it would not be a piece for a mainstream Chinese theater. Author Zhang Lijia visited the first performance, and had a great time, she writes on her weblog.

Zhang Lijia:

The funniest part was the traditional xiangsheng – comic dialogue in style about the different ways of moaning when reaching climax. You can only imagine how the more than hundred-strong audience all laughed their teeth out.

What made the show so entertaining and engaging was its interactive style. In the act about masturbation, the actress, dressed as a teacher, asked the audience to talk about their experiences. Some did speak frankly how they started it because of failed love, or driven by curiosity; other confessed they didn’t know.

Again, the play, the product of a feminist group called Bcome, shows the changing attitude towards sexuality in China. I also see it as the sign of the increasing feminist activism in China and perhaps the feminist movement is starting to happen in this most populous nation on earth.

Thanks to its sensitive nature, it has been shown in small theatres and universities.

The first The Vagina Monologue was launched by a feminist professor Ai Xiaoming from Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou back in 2003. There was a fairly successful show by another group in Shanghai in 2009. But it was called V Monologue – otherwise, it couldn’t get the venue.

I greatly enjoyed this show and felt encouraged by the increasing gender and rights awareness in China.

There’ll be two more shows on June 5 and 6. Don’t miss it.

More at Zhang Lijia’s weblog.

Zhang Lijia is a speaker at the China Speakers Bureau. Do you need her at your meeting or conference? Do get in touch or fill in our speakers’ request form.

The China Weekly Hangout is holding on May 9 an open office, where you can discuss current affairs in China or suggest subjects for hangouts later this year. You can read our announcement here, or register for the hangout here.
Regular China Weekly Hangouts take place at 10pm Beijing Time, 4pm CEST (Europe) and 10am EST (USA/Canada).