On the scene since 1987, the Australian company – now in Venice with the performance “Food Court”– has established itself over the years as one of the most innovative theatre companies worldwide, turning disability into a powerful tool of artistic exploration. We met with the artistic director Bruce Gladwin and actor Scott Price.
What is normal? Human society should take a hard look at themselves and ask – is this question worth asking? We are all unique in our different ways
From Geelong, Australia, Back to Back Theatre visit Italy for the first time to receive the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the 52nd Venice Theatre Biennale. In business since 1987, Back to Back Thetatre established themselves as one of the most innovative theatre companies worldwide, turning disability into a powerful tool of artistic research. A substantial set of plays question the tenets of what can and cannot be done on a theatre stage. Back to Back are in Venice with Food Court, a 2008 piece on bullying dominated by their punk aesthetics’ extraordinary visual presence. They will be accompanied by Australian cult band The Necks, who will improvise music for each of their performances. While we wait to see what has been called a “near-death experience in the outskirts of wonderland”, we met art director Bruce Gladwin and actor Scott Price.
What prompted you, over thirty years ago, to pick theatre as the stage for your brave, bold, inclusive, radical, and political stories? How has the language of drama evolved since?
Bruce Gladwin_Scott has been an actor with the company for 17 years and myself for 25 years as the Artistic Director. We were not the founding members of the company but we try to continue on the priorities and objectives. In my time, the company has consolidated its philosophy, methodology and logistical capacity to investigate, create and deliver a dynamic range of works which challenge audiences’ expectations as to who can make theatre. The language of the drama we make has always depended on who is in the ensemble.
Back to Back – what is the absolute meaning that your collective labelled as such?
Scott Price_It means a sense of work. Getting up in the morning and making great art. Doing what you love and that is theatre.
In their motivation for the Golden Lion Award, Ricci and Forte stated: “A visionary parable of communication that with poetic ferocity disintegrates every prejudice”. What is your personal definition of normalcy and difference?
SP_What is normal? Human society should take a hard look at themselves and ask – is this question worth asking? We are all unique in our different ways.
There are no limits, there is just us and the stage
“If the body has expressive limitations, on stage these demarcations themselves become a different grammar.” (Ricci/Forte). This journey of research, discovery, elaboration, and overcoming seems to be the existential manifesto of modernity. What essential elements in your art are a real analysis of our society?
SP_There are no limits, there is just us and the stage, there is nothing in between us. We perform at our best. The audience gets entertainment but they also get us saying that society can be shit.
In your works, improvisation is essential, both long- and short-term. What unique and personal creative processes do you encourage in your protagonists? How do you start a new project?
SP_We pick the best ideas that interest us, we make work we want to see ourselves, or roles that we want to play.
BG_We start with collecting ideas, we assemble a large list of thoughts that engage our interest or curiosity, we research and speak to experts. We are curious to draw lines of association between two things that were thought to be unalike. We improvise and build small performance moments. Everything is documented then scripted, we refine drafts, shaping narrative and character arcs.
The 2024 Golden Lion at the Theatre Biennale comes after a long list of national and international awards – over 22. What meaning does the award have for you?
SP_It means a lot, it’s an honour to be receiving this award. I’ve heard about The Golden Lion through news reports.
BG_Italy is a country we have never toured to before. Just to be performing at The Venice Biennale is an absolute thrill, but to receive the award feels our work is being acknowledged with some significance in the greater canon.
At Teatro Piccolo Arsenale, on June 28 and 29, Food Court will have its Italian premiere. What will we see on stage? And how will the audience be challenged?
SP_The performance deals with bullying, it’s universal and for some of us in the company it is very personal. ‘Power’ and ‘care’ are two ongoing themes in our work.
