Australia’s Back to Back Theatre Brings Innovative Work Across the Globe

Image from the show THE SHADOW WHOSE PREY THE HUNTER BECOMES, of five actors on a stage facing the audience; the tallest actor is on the left, and they are in descending height order with the shortest on the right. Above the actors heads are the projected words, For the past 20 years, Back to Back Theatre has made a name for itself both in Australia and around the world through its contemporary performances created by an ensemble of actors with disabilities. The company aims to give voice to social and political issues that speak to all people. In January and February, they bring their piece THE SHADOW WHOSE PREY THE HUNTER BECOMES on a five-city tour in the United States, continuing to foster social and cultural dialogue between artists and audience.

The company describes THE SHADOW WHOSE PREY THE HUNTER BECOMES (SHADOW) as, “a group of activists with intellectual disabilities hold a public meeting to start a frank and open conversation about a history we would prefer not to know, and a future that is ambivalent.” Back to Back created SHADOW, as it does with all its new work, through a process of collaborative research, improvisation, and scripting between the ensemble, Artistic Director Bruce Gladwin, and guest artists.

We asked Back to Back’s ensemble of actors a few questions about SHADOW, their upcoming tour, and what they had planned for the future. True to their spirit of collaboration, they asked that their responses be attributed to the group rather than any individuals. You can read more about the artists on the ensemble’s web page, and check out the dates for their performances in New York, Massachusetts, Minnesota, California, and Ohio on their touring calendar.

 

An actor from SHADOW appears on stage behind a large white rectangle; he is visible from the chest up. The actor has dark hair and a beard, is raising his right hand so it is visible above the white rectangle, and is wearing a white t shirt that says VSA and Accessibility: Congratulations on your upcoming tour! Your company’s work has been seen all over the world. What sort of response have you seen from global audiences, and has that response changed over time?

Back to Back Theatre Ensemble: It’s all positive. Some people are shocked. Shocked at how fantastic we are. They expect the show will be bad because we are disabled, but it ends up being transformative and mind blowing and they have to confront their own fragility, dilemmas, brittleness, and narrow expectations. What we give them is an amazing show. How audiences feel after a show is up to them, it’s their choice.

 

VSA and Accessibility: How does Back to Back Theatre fit into Australia’s performing arts community?

Back to Back Theatre Ensemble: We have a strong voice in our community, we fit into the mainstream. We live in Geelong, it’s a regional town, but we try to allow everyone to see our work. Access to art is a basic human right.

 

VSA and Accessibility: What does Back to Back have planned for the future?

Back to Back Theatre Ensemble: We are not allowed to say. Our projects are top secret. We are making something that is as big as a Live Aid concert, that’s all we can say. It’s also personal.  A theatre show that is personal and big, it’s a good combination.

 

VSA and Accessibility: How does disability influence your work, and what advice would you give emerging artists with disabilities?

Back to Back Theatre Ensemble: Some of us want to pass on this question and some of us feel disability has a big effect on the work. We are not all the same even though we work together. Some are activist artists, some are not. If you are an emerging artist just be persistent on your work, don’t give up and have faith in your own practice.

 

Learn more about Back to Back Theatre and THE SHADOW WHOSE PREY THE HUNTER BECOMES at https://backtobacktheatre.com/.

Share this post:

Comments on "Australia’s Back to Back Theatre Brings Innovative Work Across the Globe"

Comments 0-10 of 0

Please login to comment