One Hander – South Africa
Sisonke Arts has developed a play using puppetry, poetry, music, and drama to explore options (other than sexual intercourse) for releasing sexual tension. Performed by two actors and puppeteers, the play focusses on masturbation as a means to help combat the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Communication Strategies
The play is made up of a series of short scenes depicting different life situations. At the river a boy meets a girl and they are attracted to each other. At the tavern, alcohol is shown as playing a part in spreading AIDS. An older puppet dies of AIDS at the beginning of the play and this has an impact on the sexual behaviour of the other two young puppets. They decide to masturbate. The use of language in the play is minimal and is performed on a 6x6 metre stage. It uses music to reach out to audiences. The aim of this approach is to appeal to audiences of various language groups.
The play was rehearsed in the Netherlands for two months. This process was made possible by support from the Prince Claus Fund. The play has been performed in the Netherlands (at the Noordezon festival, Amsterdam) and in South Africa (at various institutions including Wits Technikon).
Key Points
Organisers say masturbation is one of the oldest and safest methods of releasing sexual tensions. "In rural areas in South Africa, it was used to prevent pregnancy especially before marriage. A man would only penetrate the thighs of his partner not her vagina. If there was no partner he would resort to a solo performance as in using his one hand and his imagination. Since we don't have solutions to the AIDS crisis we need to look at options like masturbation."
Partners
Support provided by the Prince Claus Fund.
Source
Macebo Mavuso sent an e-mail to The Soul Beat Africa on December 10, 2003.
Placed on the Soul Beat Africa site December 10 2003
Last Updated June 09 2009
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