Pornography

Kate Pendry always has gotten involved in tabooed subjects. In Pornography she dealt with our sexualised daily life, and the consequences sexualisation has on the personal, social and economic level.

Pornography carried Pendry's well-known signature of sharp rhetoric, well founded reasoning and a thoroughly studied acting style. The company, consisting of six actors plus the director, went through a long process in which they have thoroughly learned the subject and the social, economic and psychological aspects of pornography's place in our society. In this regard the process was similar to the one a team of lawyers goes through prior to a large trial.

Pendry found her stylistic references in the movies, in which judicial dramas make an established genre. She twisted the format to end up with a hard-hitting, elegant and pointed production.

Pornography by Kate Pendry was supported by Arts Council Norway.

Kate Pendry was nominated for the Norwegian Ibsen Award 2009 for Pornography and the play was published in Det Åpne Teater's book series Åpen Tekst 3* (Open Text) in 2008.

"In the play Pornography Kate Pendry presents an unusually finely tuned discussion of the pornography's function, reason and possible consequence in Norwegian and international contemporary culture. Without presenting readily chewed points of view Kate Pendry goes directly to the core of one of our culture's most expansive and tabooed societal phenomena, keeping it open for discussion without judgment. The play has high political relevance, not least in a time in which liberal values are under pressure from several holds." - The Jury of the Norwegian Ibsen Award 2009

Sources:

Det Åpne Teater, detapneteater.no, 11.10.2010, http://www.detapneteater.no/pub/daat/forestillinger/?aid=827&cid=17&sac=all&viewall=1#daat

Det Åpne Teater (The Open Theatre), detapneteater.no, 11.10.2010, http://www.detapneteater.no/pub/daat/forestillinger/?aid=924&cid=17&sac=all&viewall=1#daat

Det Åpne Teater, detapneteater.no, 11.10.2010, http://www.detapneteater.no/pub/daat/nyheter/?aid=926&cid=191

Ibsen.net, ibsen.net, 11.10.2010, http://ibsen.net/index.gan?id=11181238&subid=0

*Not yet translated into English. The title within parentheses is the Norwegian title's literal meaning.

"Kate Pendry doesn't get why feminists fight on the side of the porn industry. Personally she thinks porn should be on the schools’ curriculum."

Silje Bryne, 17.10.2008, Interview titled Equalises porn and slavery, Dagbladet.no, 11.10.2010, http://www.dagbladet.no/art/porno/feminisme/3507372/

"...this is important political theatre, in effects and message. Of course Pendry does in her lengthy manner make a form of agitation theatre (agitprop). But God bless her!"

Therese Bjørneboe (2008, 17.10). Review titled 100 percent «normal». Klassekampen. 11.10.2010, http://www.klassekampen.no/55151/article/item/null

"It is almost so that one should distance oneself from porn, says Aleksander and Lars, two eighteen year olds from Oslo, after watching the first part of the full rehearsal of Pornography."

Marte Solbakken, 15.10.2008, Wants porn education in school, NRK.no, 11.10.2010, http://www.nrk.no/kultur-og-underholdning/1.6262040

"An objection coming about during it is if the performance won't preach to the choir. An independent theatre production opposing porn - where is the surprise?

- Such questions make a good example of the prejudices I talk about, Pendry parries.

- I have received threats because of this project: Men calling telling me that I should be group raped and dumped in the woods. And just look at the stupid, predictable reaction from Knut Haavik! I think this proves I have pushed some buttons."

Bjarne Riiser Gundersen (2008, 10.10). Article titled Porn at play. Morgenbladet. 11.10.2010, http://www.morgenbladet.no/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008533378898&NL=1

"The presentation of the porn industry’s one-sided presentation of sex is left unopposed. Hence Pendry is standing as an autocratic dictator in the kingdom Pendryworld where her opinion alone has the right to live."

Anne Therese Pettersen (2008, 17.10). Review titled Porn vs. humanism. Dagsavisen. 11.10.2010, http://www.dagsavisen.no/kultur/article375073.ece

"- The availability gives the impression that it is all normal and okay that we all watch hardcore porn whenever, wherever and with whoever. Not least is it problematic because mainstream porn is increasingly brutal. A large part of what is produced is characterised by brutality, close-ups and simulated rape. Flirting with incest and paedophilia actually repeats itself. When this is so available and so common, it does something to our sexuality. It moves the limits for what is acceptable, Pendry says."

Elin Ørjasæter (2008, 15.10). Article titled Threatened with murder and rape. Dagsavisen. 11.10.2010, http://www.dagsavisen.no/kultur/article374685.ece

"- Pornography is a large societal phenomenon. Why don't we discuss it, so that the youth can develop a critical sense, not just accepting it? People ask if I want to prohibit it. I say no. I want more. So much people stops buying it, Pendry says."

Aksel Kjær Vidnes (2008, 10.10). Interview titled - Prohibit porn? I want more!. Aftenposten. 11.10.2010, http://www.aftenposten.no/kul_und/article2706836.ece