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Underbelly, Bristo Square – Ermintrude
Based on Greta Zamparini’s personal experience and other true stories, Temporarily Yours opens a sobering window into the world of sex industry workers. Summary
Rating
Good
Years of volunteering with an Italian charity that offers support to vulnerable people allowed actor Greta Zamparini to meet sex workers and trafficked women. Originally written in Italian, Temporarily Yours, puts together her personal experience with two hard-hitting monologues from the book Malamore by Concita De Gregorio, and is also inspired by the blog of an escort.
In a society that has a “fixation for being politically correct”, the show is an open window into the world of sex workers, endorsing those who do it as making a choice and giving a voice to the ones who are being exploited. Lined up along the spectrum of consent, the show opens with a high-end prostitute in smart clothes and red stilettos. Her business is so successful that she can even afford a receptionist (for added security). “I love my job, do you say the same about yours?” she enquires. Proud mentions of financial independence, abundance of free time and her role as a service to society make it hard for us to disagree.
A scantily dressed escort scorns the comments of other women about her blog posts. “I want a life like yours”, they write; but the job isn’t always easy. It requires, first of all, the ability to get over the repulsion for men who are in desperate need of assurance.
There is a pile of litter to one side of the stage, right at the front, which hints to the upcoming stories of degradation. A woman phones her family back in Romania whilst haggling with a customer on the side of the road. Another describes with fondness the community of people who hang out with her on the streets: she can’t imagine her life any other way.
One final blistering account of slavery and self-harm is given through the eyes of a teenager, sold by her family. It’s a punch in the stomach, in stark contrast with the dazzling glamour of the first stories. She is the truth that society has chosen to sweep under the carpet.
In light of its educational value, Zamparini’s sobering work might benefit from some adjustments to better suit the Fringe stage. Its 75 minutes running time – as opposed to the standard hour – risks turning audiences away and could be reduced without a real loss of content. The direction is at times clunky, but the actor delivers such an outstanding performance that time goes by fast enough.
Written by: Greta Zamparini
Produced by: Ines Wurth
Temporarily Yours plays at EdFringe 2023 until 27 August, 1:15pm at Underbelly, Bristo Square. Further information and bookings here.
