The trials of the big breasted

CYNTHIA RAMSAY SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH BULLETIN

When one thinks of various handicaps that a person can have, rarely does "big breasts" enter one's mind. But think again. Knockers, an original work created and performed by Denalda Williams, is replete with hilarious (and sometimes poignant) stories about Williams' trials and tribulations growing up well endowed. Although the tales are of a personal nature, many women will relate to most, if not all, of her experiences and the men in audience will be able to identify with the underlying universal theme of self-acceptance.

Directed by Jewish community member and actress Babz Chula, Williams' performance is very entertaining in the one-hour monologue that takes us from her first bra, at age 10, to the present, by which time she has fully accepted herself and her body. While Williams needs to calm down a bit when portraying her younger self – she jumps and twists around like a hyperactive six-year-old, which is funny at first but becomes distracting – her overall delivery is excellent.

Born in Burnaby, Williams is a longtime resident of Granville Island and has long been active in the Vancouver entertainment industry, both as a performer and instructor. She is an alumnus of Second City and Vancouver Theatre Sports, and has been on such popular TV shows as Whose Line is it Anyway?, Six Feet Under and Malcolm in the Middle. Her film credits include both Stakeout movies and she will be featured in the upcoming Are We There Yet? with Ice Cube. Knockers is Williams' first original work after returning to Vancouver from Los Angeles. It was first performed as a short monologue at the 2003 Outrageous Women's Cabaret at the Shadbolt Centre for the Performing Arts.

The show begins with the well-known theme song from the Mary Tyler Moore Show and that telling line, "You're going to make it after all." With no props, and minimal sound and lighting effects, Williams creates unique situations populated with characters from her upbringing: her father, who's never without a drink in his hand; Auntie Betty, the Welsh matriarch; Donald, a breast-obsessed school boy; and several others who bring the show to life.

Knockers touches upon job interviews impeded by Williams' chest size, various dating episodes and nude sun-tanning in Europe, as well as more serious topics, such as lecherous men and cancer.

One of the funniest scenes is Williams' account of going to the department store with her mother to buy her first bra – instead of the American Barbie that Williams really wants. Believe it or not, there is a right way and a wrong way to put on a bra, and Williams nails the description of both methods in Knockers.

In another story, after graduating high school, Williams spends a year in Europe, where breast talk is mercifully absent. When she returns home, she is greeted by her family, who are all aghast at the German-made bra that accentuates the size of her chest. A relative takes Williams aside and informs her that big breasts are no longer in fashion, to which Williams responds, how can a breast size be in or out of fashion? "And where was I when big breasts were in?"

Knockers is at the Waterfront Theatre, 1412 Cartwright on Granville Island, 8 p.m., until July 10. Tickets are $15, $10 for students/seniors. They can be purchased at Festival box office, 604-257-0366 or www.festivalboxoffice.com.

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