Mannequin’s Daughter

Written & Directed by Jeff Nichols

Choreographed by Tera Kilbride

SYNOPSIS

Jeff Nichols’ original play, Mannequin’s Daughter tells the tale of Iris, a character who – from viewer perspective – struggles with an eating disorder, but claims what she truly devours is the inorganic items of our modern consumerist culture. Appealing to Aphrodite for help, she spirals into the surreal depths of her own mind. Encountering opposition from the figures of her life obstructing her journey to health, each adjunct character distorts and challenges her version of reality.

Ghostbridge Theatre highlights concepts of blind consumption, addiction and body image through a dark and thought-provoking dramedy about self-identity.

Juxtaposing the concepts of rampant materialism in our modern age, Mannequin’s Daughter examines how sexuality is used as a marketing tool to sell products to consumers at the expense of contributing to the misrepresentation of the “ideal” body type.

The perfect companion to close out Gamut Gallery’s female artist-driven exhibition, Valure, Mannequin’s Daughter dives into consuming vs. consumerism, and the very thin line tread between the two in a society which places a taboo on aging and a fascination with youth. Both performance and exhibit set out to deconstruct the confines of the idealized “feminine” and explore what it means to value the self despite the various ways society, culture, upbringing and our own subconscious bias shape and often distort identity.