The concept of the “tiger mother” was popularized by the Amy Chua book, Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother. It describes a strict disciplinarian, overbearing and without any concern for a child’s self-esteem. While Chua tried to broaden the concept to include mothers of all backgrounds, it remains rooted in a style of parenting favoured by immigrant Chinese mothers. Though the book was criticised as a how-to guide, Chua insists it’s only a memoir.
Controversy
over the book remains. The title is still freely applied.
Charlene
Kaye had a “tiger mother” – Lily, the Chinese immigrant who grew up in poverty
in Singapore. Her mother is stylish, dresses and laughs loudly and remains
overbearing into Charlene’s thirties. This show is about their relationship. Her
mother is more precise – the show is about her.
The
domineering Chinese mother is pervasive in popular culture and in stand-up
shows. I went in wondering what Charlene might unearth from their relationship
that would make it stand-out. Tiger Daughter, Or: How I Brought My Immigrant
Mother Ultimate Shame is a rock ‘n’ roll/stand up/cabaret show that unpicks
their relationship in a fascinating way.
Charlene
Kaye never wanted to be the perfect student. When she went to college, she never even
tried. She wanted to sing. Wanted to play in bands. She is a singer-songwriter
who has toured America in all number of guises, including in the band
supporting a Harry Potter musical parody. One audience member on the night I
went knew all the words to one of the Potter songs Kaye sang in tribute to that
era of her career.
Charlene
and Lily lock heads over and over. Charlene tries to bring her mother along,
show her how much she’s loving life, but these things never seem to go as
planned. Lily remains disappointed with her oldest daughter.
Electric
guitar solos break up the light-hearted story-telling that turns serious later
in the show. Charlene and the audience do get to understand Lily better, even
if we still bristle at the idea of the “tiger mom”. Charlene knows how to get
us to lean in, crack us up and then stop us in our tracks with a dramatic revelation.
It’s a one-woman show that’s fully rounded and rich with emotion and pathos.
The title Tiger
Daughter tips us off that mother and daughter might be more similar than
they first appear, but it also suggests that Charlene might be as set in her
ways as her mother, too. If Lily is overbearing, Charlene can give as good as
she gets. This is where things get really interesting.
This show
is a subversive surprise. We think we know what we’re getting because the
premise is something we’re familiar with. But then, we get to know their lives
a bit better and a whole new kind of relationship emerges.
Tiger
Daughter wears an
hilarious façade but it’s red raw underneath.
- Keith Gow, Theatre First
Charlene Kaye is in Melbourne for the Comedy Festival until April 20
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