Jéssica Teixeira

‘Can youimagine yourself at 100 years old?’ Based on this first question, ‘MONGA’ invites people to delve into their lives in an attempt to untie some knots: when were imaginations castrated and future prospects abandoned? To this end, Jéssica Teixeira, using multiple theatrical tools and psychoanalytical resources, joins forces with the story of Julia Pastrana, a Mexican woman who was commonly known as a monkey-woman and became one of the great inspirations for Freak Shows. The actress evokes the 26 years ofJulia Pastrana's life and her in human working conditions on stage as a dancer, performer and singer, and her 153 years after death from exposure, greed and sensationalism around the world.These two temporal and geopolitical curves give poetic and disturbing knots to the dramaturgy of ‘MONGA’, which this time doesn't run after the audience to capture the one who can't run, the one who falls or the weakest. The staging of ‘MONGA’  is risky because of Jéssica Teixeira's shamelessness: assumingherself to be a stranger in life and, on stage, becoming more and more naturalised for being a stranger. The actress and directorr eturns the stares, mirroringa nd stripping those watching, bringing the genre of psychological horror to the surface with doses of nervous laughter and embarrassment.

“Death squads, Ku Klux Klan, and neo-Nazis don’t exist, because reality resists,” says the opening song of this award-winning, tender yet challenging piece by Brazilian artist Jéssica Teixeira. Monga conjures the story of Mexican Julia Pastrana, who was exploited as an “Ape Woman,” among other names, in 19th century freak shows and whose stuffed corpse was on display until the late 20th century. In a work as disturbing as it is enchanting, alienating and humorous at the same time, Teixeira confronts the sensationalist, objectifying gaze on the marginalised bodies of “others.” Meanwhile, a swinging disco ball duels with the glaring light-ring attached to her head. Monga entwines live concert, narrative, and performance, unsettling with its transgressive intimacy, while full of empathy for an unbridled and vulnerable life. “This is a freak show – but my life is not a f***ing freak show – motherf***eeeeeeeeeers!”

Director, playwright & actress: Jéssica Teixeira | Art direction: Chico Henrique | Music direction & guitar: Luma | Technical direction & lighting design: Jimmy Wong | Stand-in for lighting setup and operation: Dara Duarte | Video/photography direction: Ciça Lucchesi | Body preparation: Castilho | Zabumba: Juliano Mendes | Stage manager: Aristides Olivera | Producers: Rodrigo Fidelis, Gabi Gonçalves & Khazar Masoumi-Corpo Rastreado | International distribution: Corpo a Fora and Farofa | Sign language performer: Pam Eden 

Content note: Use of stroboscope, nudity, themes of violence, death, ableism and experiences of racism.