Sexuality and the Transgression of Gaze in the Theatre

Abstract

In the twenty-first century, the most common cases of transgression in theatre are related either to breaking certain religious or social norms, particularly when combined with indecent language and exposure of the body. Nevertheless, this article investigates something as essential as viewing relying on the notion “gaze” and “soft transgression” (Patrice Pavis).
First, the article explores different theoretical approaches to viewing, especially the ones relevant in the context of performing arts and gender identity, and highlights some phenomenological aspects of bidirectional theatrical gaze. A theoretical framework is constructed for the analysis of a production, which dealt predominantly with female representations and which was interpreted as transgressive – 72 Days (2022, Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre) by Ene-Liis Semper, Tiit Ojasoo and Giacomo Veronesi. The analysis is divided into three parts: transgression of gaze, transgression by mouth and sexualizing gaze. The main conclusions of the analysis are supported by a comparable example from Lithuania – Sleepers (2021, Lithuanian National Drama Theatre) by Oskaras Koršunovas.
Based on the case studies, one can conclude that in the current regime of new sensitivities, critical audiences have become more sensitive about artistically unjustified exposure of naked or sexualized bodies on stage. With the notion “new sensitivities” I refer to a trend in the twenty-first century where receivers find certain representational traditions unacceptable, which has led to different forms of censorship.