Letícia Rodrigues performs an autobiographical, satirical show at the fringe that explores body image, societal pressure, and personal trauma.

Letícia Rodrigues’s show, 116 Grams: A Play to Lose Weight, is an autobiographical production that uses satire and physical performance to address body policing. The show, which is part of the São Paulo Showcase, features Rodrigues as a character named Gorda who attempts to lose 116 grams during the hour-long performance. The production incorporates elements of dance, exercise, and music, including songs by Britney Spears and excerpts from Swan Lake.

Themes and Performance

Directed by João Pedro Ribeiro and Rodrigues, the show reflects on the performer's experiences with failed castings in Brazil due to her body size. Rodrigues describes the performance as a response to shame and trauma, noting that she does not identify as body positive. Throughout the show, she engages in various physical activities, including boxing with a plastic swan and expressive movement, while performing mostly naked to present the body she feels society wants to see erased.

Production Style

The performance is conducted in Portuguese with English surtitles. It transitions from a narrative structure to an experimental, abstract style, culminating in a ballet sequence. The production is characterized by its satirical tone and commentary on the types of bodies deemed appropriate for the stage.