Material Woman in the Beauty World

Theatre

“People like me are everywhere – but nobody really sees us. We look ordinary. We fit in.”

Material Woman in the Beauty World considers the sociological portrait of an ‘ordinary’ woman in her 50s. The main character is a beautician who shares the many aspects of her life, predominantly seen through her work. She invites us into the beauty world with narratives about clients and friends supplemented by stories of laser hair removals, facials, full-body massages, and weight loss regimes.

She also gives us a glimpse into her life – her interests in fengshui and fortune-telling, her attitude towards money, the complexities of the relationships she has with the people in her life, and her attempts to get a divorce during the Covid-19 pandemic.

What adds value to the play is its use of language. Material Woman in the Beauty World features two productions, one in English and the other in Mandarin. This crosses the invisible divide between language users and communities and expands the way we understand the play – the story of the same character, with its portrayal and narrative challenged by the use of two different languages. This presents a truly unique way of experiencing and embracing the play.

Written by Leow Puay Tin, directed by Tung Jit Yang, and performed by Ling Tang, Material Woman in the Beauty World premiers in Penang, promising a thoughtful reflection on what it means to be the ideal woman.

Note from the Artist

The idea for Warna Warni George Town stems from my research on buildings in foreign countries, where besides their architectural characteristics, they are also appreciated for their vibrant colours, designs, and patterns. Penang has many heritage buildings with architectural significance, but they are primarily white. While some are already in colour, like ‘The Blue Mansion,’ I wondered, why blue? Why couldn’t it be pink or green? This colouring book offers people to tap into their creativity and (re)imagine our heritage buildings, giving us a glimpse into the varied representations of what our tangible heritage can look like.

Inspirations from the Southeast — Penang, Malaysia

Date: 22 & 23 July 2023
Time: 2.00pm & 5.00pm
Venue: GSC Cinema, Gurney Plaza

Inspirations from the Southeast is a captivating documentary series featuring places in Southeast Asia, the region in the south of Taiwan. By blending the old with the new, the documentary captures the wisdom of Southeast Asia countries and their histories, providing insight into the significance of preserving one’s own culture. The current screening focuses on Penang, Malaysia, with an exposition on the city makers of George Town. As a UNESCO World Heritage city, the residents of George Town aim to make their city a living heritage. Whether it’s the stained walls of the street houses, the smells of various spices in the market, or the sound of the Songkok maker paddling the sewing machine, these essential historical and cultural elements of Penang are making the old city new. By portraying the stories of the living heritage, the documentary offers perspectives on everyday life and how city makers continuously shape and transform our experiences of tangible and intangible heritage within the city.

Dates & Times:

Time:

10.00am

Venue:

Auditorium C, KOMTAR

Tickets:

RM50, RM180 (Group of 4)

Age Suitability:

12 years old and above