Bite My Thumb —— Are you still who you are without the mask of gender?

On June 18th, 2015, Bite My Thumb, produced by East West Theatre, was brought to stage at Happiness 42. The 45-minute-long play was set at an alley outside of Off-Off-Broadway Theatre in New York City. Two rival drama troupes started by vying against each other for Juliet. In their early debates, the two social groups represented by the two Romeos of the two drama troupes, lesbian feminists and straight male chauvinists, presented a picture of the current status of homosexuals, particularly the lesbians. As the dispute heated up, the climax of the play in turn led the story to another conflict, which resulted from Mark’s female-to-male transgender identity being debunked. Arguments that followed were centered around tomboy lesbian Joe’s and Mark’s discussion on self-identification, appearance, sexuality and the social construction. At the end of the story, the two decided to go their separate ways and enhance their self-identities with drama. The ending was seemingly a happy one, but it has a tragic touch hidden beneath, which is the inability of this social group to gain their desired life in reality.

The pink ambient lighting and the flamboyant costumes with colorful patches and white leggings all helped shape a bizarre and motley environment. The humorous lines and fencing scenes that were weaved within made the up-and-downs of the play even more captivating.

East West Theatre has a long lasting history of collaboration with ShanghaiPRIDE. Their absorbing and enlightening production of Bite My Thumb is deeply appreciated.