The first rule: Consent. It’s a good guideline for every situation in life, but it’s mandatory according to Brooke Ferris. In her hilariously devilish solo show, How to BDSM, Ferris adopts the persona of a doctor/therapist/sexologist to navigate the world of fetish and kink for her curious—and often willing- audience. The piece is one of many recently featured in PhysFestNYC, a new festival celebrating the art of physical theater. The 10-day event, held in New York’s Financial District, began on January 5th and ended on January 14th.
There will be no flipcharts or dry-erase boards. Instead, she seductively wheels her stationary assistant, David onstage to demonstrate. But not before she warms up with a headstand and simultaneous foot clapping.
Sweet peppers (cut in suggestive shapes) , handcuffs, and flog whips all comprise this brief seminar, led by this teacher whose sweet, angelic mien initially appears to be that of a Sunday school teacher. Once the lesson starts, however, the gospel according to temptation surfaces and inhibitions drift away.
Ferris, a NYC-based artist, performed the piece in the summer of ’23 and hopes to bring it to other theater festivals. Don’t be tied down with confusion. Follow her Instagram page to catch the next tutorial.