Bond-age is a bold physical theatre piece exploring the dynamic relationship between pain and love, bondage and liberation, performed by Wenjun Zhu and Stephan Fraser.
Bond-age is based on the theme of BDSM, showcasing a hidden, often misunderstood world. Wenjun Zhu (June) and Stephan Fraser utilise a variety of BDSM tools, such as whips, ropes, and hoods. The loud cracks of the whip on the back and the screams of the actors being electrocuted help create a scene both terrifying and intriguing. The characters anticipate the pleasure of being bound by ropes, yet desperately shout “red light” as they near unconsciousness. These safety words are not only boundaries for the dominant, but also words of safety for people facing life’s challenges.
The two characters constantly switch between the roles of “dom” and “sub”, implying the fluidity of power dynamics. The production touches on themes of cultural and personal identity, suggesting that individuals may envy aspects of each other’s lives—such as wealth, visas, food, or freedom—or wish to explore different gender expressions to experience unfamiliar beauty. Through explicit vocalisations and intense physicality, the performance amplifies and exposes hidden desires and social constraints in a raw and unfiltered way.
Live music by Lou Lévêque, a Brussels-based Baroque violinist, adds mystery and emotion to the production. The charming violin melody guides the audience’s emotions, demonstrating the complexity of power dynamics more profoundly. Recreating Chinese classical music with electronic elements adds another punch to excite the senses.
Beyond the red lights of love, the safe words in a mother–daughter relationship are even more evocative. As daughters, they enjoy their mother’s support yet desire to break free from her constraints. In the daughter’s desperate cries, the mother represents not just a role within the family, but the concept of home. In the final scene, daughters use their body language to draw the Chinese characters for “returning to one’s roots” in the air with bold imagination. This tension between freedom and motherland crosses cultural boundaries through vivid body language, striking a chord with all audiences.
Bond-age provides a bold imagination and profound reflection in the theme of BDSM.
