Hysterical choices

Hysteria, running Thu, Oct 25 to Nov 3 at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre, is bursting at the seams with fabulous female creators. Here are just a few of the must-sees of the fest.

Yoga Cannibal

Originally developed through Buddies’ Female Creators Unit, Nisha Ahuja’s solo performance piece is a short and sassy satire that explores the commerce and consumption of yoga in Western culture. Will she achieve inner peace as she contorts her body into incomprehensible shapes and chants sacred 1,000-year-old mantras or will she simply fall prey to another South Asian stereotype? See it to find out (7pm, Wed, Oct 31).

Brutal Affection

In this interactive workshop NYC sex educator and former member of the Adult Children of Heterosexuals performance group Felice Shays will lead participants through a series of exercises to learn proper technique when punching, kicking and slapping their lovers while deep in the throws of affection. Comfortable clothing and footwear recommended. Moderate bruising and swelling may occur (3:30 to 5:30pm, Sat Nov 3).

Cerveau Fêlé 101 (Cracked Brain 101)

Festival fave Nathalie Claude returns with her second in a series of pieces exploring mental illness. Influenced by performance traditions ranging from Buffon to burlesque, Claude takes us into the world of a woman who has been branded insane for her penchant for pussy. Ranging in tone from darkly comedic to tragically psychedelic, this work is guaranteed to leave audiences salivating for more (7:30pm, Sat, Nov 3).

Walk-in Clinic >

Xtra cover gal Moynan King teams up with Trixie and Beever to present an ongoing performance throughout the festival that offers an interactive health centre to explore the performative elements of healing and the power of a really good placebo. Audiences can expect a very “hands on” experience, as the clinic’s team of sensual healers poke and stroke them out of their various ailments. If you’re lucky, you may get a great massage and a prescription for some fun pills.