Intimate

Hi Loverrrsss

My lovely friend turned me on to the BAC’s One-On-One Festival 2011
My first introduction to this sort of theatre was in You Me Bum Bum Train
Where I had a chance to be an audience member and spend one night in the cast
Both these productions had a single audience member
With the YMBBT there were manyyy cast members
And with the BAC is was, generally, a single performer, hence One-on-One…

SO I had the pleasure of seeing 3 excellent shows in the festivals ‘Intimate’ series

The Pleasure Of Being: Washing Feeding Holding Adrian Howells
A Little Bit Of A Beautiful Thing Barnaby Stonel
Indiscreet Deborah Pearson

I really enjoyed the 2nd and 3rd shows, both touching and sweet, with Ms Pearson really flaunting her wit and whimsy
But I have to admit, I was a bit off the planet after my first experience with Adrian

Adrian Howells is a performance artist, whose artistic policy is:

To create work that promotes intimacy and genuine exchange with an audience, often in a one-to-one, autobiographical or confessional context, in a range of non-traditional performance spaces…

The Pleasure Of Being: Washing Feeding Holding

After being seated to privately read over the terms and conditions, I am led to a small tidy dressing area to disrobe. All my clothes, folded, go into a wicker basket as I slip into a soft cotton robe. I have been instructed, when ready, to knock on a door, different to the one I entered in, and Adrian will come and get me. I stand for a few seconds before the door, my hand paused in a fist and I take a few deep centering breaths. I knock and a beautiful, smiling man, all in white answers the door. He leads me in, I can’t remember the chit chat but it was friendly and brief. We are in an all white bathroom, screens and rows of clean towels, dozens of white candles and a ivory clawed tub sits raised on a platform. I remember feeling instantly happy and at ease in the serene and pretty room.

Adrian explains cheerfully and gently that he will now bathe me, he escorts me to the tub where I disrobe and he helps me in. The water is warm and it’s brimming with bubbles and rose petals. At some point he reminds me, this is all about ‘pampering’. He also suggests it may heighten my experience to close my eyes, I do. It was wonderful to lie in the warm water and release as my face and limbs were scrubbed lovingly. Rose petals were scattered on my face and decollete and I giggled a little at the ticklish washing of my tummy and feet. You are told in the terms and conditions that your genitals (breasts included) will not be washed or dried. After a soothing back scrub, I was helped up and out of the tub to be dried. I remember feeling curious about how Adrian was feeling, peering at him closely as he dried me, he kept catching my gaze and smiling, holding my face in the plush towel and I was indeed filled with a loving pleasure. He dried all that he was allowed, then gave me the towel to finish before dressing me in my robe again.

Then Adrian sat on a seat of white cushions, supporting his back, backside and covering his lap, saying ‘Ok Rubyyy, I invite you now to sit in between my legs, your head in my left arm, your legs over my right and I will craddle and hold you’ Not verbatim but something like that. Every time Adrian speaks it is gentle, energized and grounded; he’s very clear about what is happening at each stage. I am so looking forward to intimate, non sexual touch that I almost dive into his lap.  It felt absolutely wonderful and healing to be held in his arms, my head on his chest, arms tangled up and him occasionally stroking my hair. To listen to another persons’ heart. To feel the rising of their breathing. To feel the intention behind this individuals touch, simply to relax and replenish you, was so nourishing to my heart and soul.

My eyes were closed but I was brought back into the room when he asked if I would like some white chocolate. A small square was being held out to me and I took it between my teeth and let it melt as he gently stroked my hair some more. Breathing deep, we were both centered on this experience and that made me feel lovely too. Someones one hundred percent attention is a precious commodity nowadays.  He fed me a little more white chocolate and I snuggled into him for the last minutes, I really didn’t want it to be over and I didn’t want to leave Adrian’s circle. He’s one of those pure aura people and I felt really at ease and safe in his presence. I reluctantly, but gratefully, sat up when the we were through and I stood up feeling a bit taller, more rooted. He walked me to the door and closed me into another big hug, ‘just one more’ he said and I wanted to cry a little, mostly out of happiness. I can’t remember all we said to each other but I remember us both saying ‘Thank you’ over and over and over.

I dressed slowly, in the same neat room, my clothes and possessions still in the little basket, everything feeling a bit too tight for my prefer naked state. I felt brand new and was sure I looked it. I thought right away: I must get to a mirror, I must see my face because something in me feels so changed I can’t believe it wouldn’t show. I walked slowly to the washroom and took a breath before peering at myself. I looked the same. I was smiling at myself in the mirror, double checking each inch for any sign of the blossoming shift within me. Days later, I’m still expecting to see a changed eyebrow or lip but the change is all too apparent on the inside. My mood has balanced, I’ve gained clarity and focus I lacked and I can’t stop thinking about my Adrian Howells experience. How different the world would be if we could purchase such a service at a spa and/or if the average person was capable of such intimacy. I was ready for this experience but I’m not sure how many people are but I know part of the magic is Adrian himself, his giving and enriching energy made me feel perfect and powerful

.   .   .

Learn more about Adrian here with Glasgow University

Love Lust & Light

♥

R

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