Paula Pau

A southeast asian cis-sis reunion

As a child, Raymond’s mother dressed him up in a gold sequined dress, put a big wig on him, and took him to a talent show – even though cross-dressing and homosexuality were and still are illegal and taboo in Malaysia. Raymond won third prize. More than 20 years later, Raymond returns to that moment in drag as Maria Cencaru – together with friends from the Southeast Asian diaspora. A queer memory of traditional, urban, and contemporary dances, images, and words is formed from their shared movement. Maria Cencaru is a desire to relive a childhood memory, the commonality of their different identities, a collective movement and the long overdue cis-sis family reunion.

Choreography by Raymond Liew Jin Pin
Collaborated as Performer and Co-choreography
02. – 05.02.2023 | WIESE eG, Hamburg
17. – 18.02.2023 | PACT Zollverein, Essen
24. – 25.02.2023 | Schwankhalle, Bremen
Photos and Video by Pascal Schmidt