New play about abortion shows differences between having a termination in Hong Kong and the UK
- The Waiting Room is set in an abortion clinic and explores women’s experiences with abortion and its aftermath, and reproductive health
- Abortion is legal in Hong Kong, but is more complicated and stressful than in the UK, and there is a lack of psychological care
A new theatrical production set in an abortion clinic, The Waiting Room, explores the stories of real individuals and their heartbreaking struggles over a choice nobody ever dreams of having to make.
Jessica De Borja, 33, the play’s director, producer and writer, joined forces with co-producer and performer Davina Lee Carrete, 40, to found A Common Collective to produce works that explore social issues.
Given the shouting matches taking place in the United States and echoing around the globe over a woman’s right to govern her own body, the production’s subject matter has become a topical talking point on this issue.
In their research, the pair noted the gulf between the abortion experience in Hong Kong and in Britain. Women in Hong Kong face added layers of stress as they wade through a longer process to terminate a pregnancy than they do in Britain. And it is shrouded in secrecy. De Borja notes that those grappling with their decision and its aftermath are less likely to reach out for support “because mental health is still such a stigma in Hong Kong and Asian cultures”.
The play features five actresses who explore abortion and other topics related to female body experiences. While much of the writing stems from De Borja, it also includes input from the cast who wrote their own monologues and combines research the co-producers conducted, including interviews with women in the city who have had an abortion. Some of those insights were incorporated into the script verbatim.
