You’d think Charla Hathaway’s autobiographical solo show about becoming a sex worker at 55 would be surprising or audacious, but it’s not; it’s mundanely instructive. Hathaway makes legitimate points, the central one being about the importance of women claiming their sexual pleasure and control by honouring their own experiences, not just their partners’. And she claims space for the sexuality of older women, which is important. But her tone is teach-y — as if no one in the audience has ever considered her ideas before. Hathaway tells us that her experience of sex work was safe, which is great, but she ignores the many dangers and tragedies of the trade. Hathaway’s anecdotes lack revealing detail concerning character and place. She’s not a great singer. I was disappointed.
At the Vancouver Fringe Festival. Remaining performances at Off the Tracks: September 6, 7:30 pm; September 8, 6:00 pm; September 9, 9:00 pm; September 10, 9:00 pm; September 12, 10:30 p.m; September 13, 9:00 pm; September 14, 7:30 pm. Tickets
(Photo of Charla Hathaway from Age Productions)
I can’t agree more!
She was telling her story, why would she share about the tragedy and dangers? That just reeks of you being anti sex work. She is a great singer. You say it was teachy but you clearly need those teachings .