Written by Tamara Nguyen and Sophie Gee
A Nervous Hunter production presented by Factory Theatre and Théâtre français de Toronto
Sophie, Meilie and Wai Yin, three Chinese women, come together to watch a video adaptation Sophie made of the classic play The Maids (Les Bonnes) by Jean Genet. Together as they watch the video – where two Chinese women play the maids and fantasize their revenge on their Madame – the friends speak candidly about their childhood, their love-hate relationship with whiteness, the colonization of their minds, and Crazy Rich Asians. They discuss their evolving feelings about their Chinese identity; from shame to pride to deep concern, especially in a world where China’s financial and political power continues to grow. And why do an adaptation of a play by a dead white guy anyway? Differences amongst the women emerge and tensions grow until Sophie’s desire for revenge on whiteness boils over.
Bonnes Bonnes combines documentary theatre, live on-stage cooking, projections and movement to explore how we can heal from the wounds of internalized racism. The play is also a big middle finger to everyone who made fun of the smell of our lunches at school.
This translation was developed with the support of The Glassco Translation Residency in Tadoussac through Playwrights’ Workshop Montréal.
We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts and the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec for its financial support for this tour.
