How Am I looking Now? at Theatro Technis
How Am I looking Now is a double-bill performance of two short plays, Baring the Weight and Extreme Makeover Mum, which tackle the tricky topic of body positivity through the exploration of beautiful, well-constructed female relationships. Alone, they are comedic and insightful, together they are a celebration of sisterhood, a declaration of strength and perhaps even an excuse to grab a slice of cake when you’re finished.
Baring the Weight was first written in 1979 by Clair Chapwell as a response to the widely popular Fat Is a Feminist Issue by Susie Orbach; it has been reintroduced to our stages in 2019: a topical yet hilarious play following a group of women on a journey to accept and love their bodies. Self-love and acceptance are explored through song, jokes and the comedic representation (and subsequent demonisation) of SlimTrim, a weightloss and positivity group that is anything but positive. Here, Chapwell employ comedy artfully, using the genre to subvert expectations and bring light to important issues.
Extreme Make-Over Mum was again written (and co-directed alongside Rosie Litterick) by Chapwell, who sought to observe the changing relationship women have with their bodies in 2019. Disappointingly, it appears that we are still suffering from the same insecurities brought to light when Baring the Weight was written in 1979; diet culture is at an all-time high and social media is threatening the little self-esteem we have. This play felt (for obvious reasons) more current, offering a fresh and yet again comedic take upon diet culture through introducing the audience to characters both young and old: “the bingo wings”, a group of older women who meet to celebrate feminity in all of its shapes and sizes and their daughters, trapped in the world of selfies and Instagram likes.
The strength in both plays lies in the talent and enthusiasm of their ensembles, a group of female performers aged 25-75 of various theatrical experiences coming together to celebrate sisterhood. It was apparent that each and every performer took great pride and joy being on that stage, which of course, made the performance that much more endearing. Such joy extended out into the audience and was present in every member of the creative team also.
To summarise, How Am I looking Now? is a witty, insightful and moving production which proves that self-love and acceptance are far more satisfying than losing a few inches could ever be.
Abbie Grundy
How Am I looking Now? is at Theatro Technis from 11th until 14th April 2019. For further information or to book visit the theatre’s website here.
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