Intermedial deconstruction of gender and representation of transgender in Lithuanian theatre: case study of the performance “Trans Trans Trance”

Abstract

This paper analyses the intermedial representation of transgender and gender deconstruction in the performance “Trans Trans Trance” (2017), created by Lithuanian director Kamilė Gudmonaitė and actresses Dovilė Kundrotaitė, Jovita Jankelaitytė and Adelė Šuminskaitė. The performance has features of the feminist theatre and not only explores the gender of woman and transgender identity but also interconnects different arts and media. Several approaches – feminist criticism, transgender studies, queer theory and the concept of intermediality – have been applied to study this performance. The research results reveal that the fragmentary performance narrative is composed of different episodes and is based on intermedial strategies. They allow to reflect gender of woman and gender roles, that are implied by society norms and could limit individual choices. Also, they highlight a complicated interaction between specific body, gender and identity. Moreover, the hybrid transgender image, created by various media, avoids stereotypization of transgender representation. It also emphasizes that part of the society think about transgender people like about dangerous others while they just want to be themselves and participate in the society.