Contra-indication: Corporeality, iconicity and representation in Singapore Lesbian Theatre.

Abstract

Whilst there has been a growing number of academic papers written on local theatre, none explicitly examines the corporal lesbian subject vis-C -vis the State and its resulting impact and effect on performance. b Contra-Indicationb allows an examination of how meaning, specifically the lesbian body is created, represented and received in the context of Singapore theatre amidst state politics and censorship rules that forbid explicit (and sympathetic) representations of non-heterosexual acts and desires which I will argue has ironically abetted the proliferation of Sapphic existence both on and off stage. <br><br> In particular, it raises questions on what has to be modified, denied, deferred or even infinitely postponed in its representation through the close analysis of seminal lesbian plays in Singaporeb s official working language, English. Finally, b Contra-Indicationb will also raise the question of spectatorship and propose a framework towards understanding lesbians (corp