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Writer and performer Yang-May Ooi explores what led women to do the unimaginable in breaking and binding their daughters’ feet for the sake of beauty – and why the ancient Chinese practice of footbinding is still relevant in modern times.

Ooi draws from the themes of love and courage in her one-woman show, Bound Feet Blues – A Life Told in Shoes, inspired by her great-grandmother who had bound feet, and discusses what it means to do the unimaginable today. She will also perform a short extract from her show. 

Ooi is a bestselling author, TEDx speaker and acclaimed writer and performer of Chinese-Malaysian heritage. She is author of the novels, The Flame Tree and Mindgame, and of a memoir, Bound Street Blues. The show. Bound Feet Blues – A Life told in Shoes, performed in Malaysian English and Standard English, interweaves the story of her great-grandmother and Ooi’s own search for her sexual identity. Its three-week run in the West End was largely sold out and has been described as “stunning, moving, memorable and beautiful.”

Ooi is a graduate of St Hilda’s College and this event is part of St Hilda’s day at the festival.

Anyone attending one or more of the St Hilda’s Writers’ Day events is invited to a free networking event with members of the College. and with tea and coffee. at the Ship Street Centre 10.30am-11.30 am on 9th April, but please register on http://doodle.com/poll/s4yfahuktipg8ik7 if you plan to come.