Tonight is opening night of the Vagina Monologues here in Phnom Penh. When I first moved here, one of the first things I joined was the cast as a strategy to make new friends. It's worked wonderfully, and it has been a great 6 weeks rehearsing with this crew of ladies from all over the world. I've been in the Vagina Monologues before, so it's really a lot of fun for me to do this a 3rd time (and I think my last, ha).
Last week, it came to my attention that due to the changing political climate in Cambodia, including an increasingly conservative PM (who has been in power for 30 years) who has been more hostile to foreign influence and interference, the cast of VM could be at risk. I don't think at risk in any major way, but it is possible that our participation could lead to mild harassment the night of at best or deportation at worst. I think all expats are on edge after a group of foreigners in Siem Reap were arrested and eventually fined and deported for creating "pornography" based on photos found on their phones...photos that were allegedly taken three years ago. The story of the police and the foreigners have not lined up, and the story sent shockwaves throughout the expat community. It is in this environment that we are performing a show that could be considered inappropriate, lewd, even morally bankrupt.
I never thought of myself as a political person. I have my opinions, informed by my education and experiences. I follow what is going on in the world. But this experience tonight has me in my "feels", so to speak. I am thinking about the #metoo movement, the perilous status of women and girls in Cambodia, my privileges and my experiences of discrimination and prejudice. It is an odd time to be alive, at the cusp of so much tension and change.
So tonight, I will take the stage and do my monologue as an overtly and overly conscious political act. Hopefully, I'll be able to make a few people laugh in the process.