RUTH MACKENZIE

Adelaide Festival Artistic Director 2023

INTERVIEW BY KATE HOLLAND

Ruth Mackenzie was appointed as Artistic Director of Adelaide Festival in March last year, bringing with her over 40 years’ experience in the arts world.

With opening night almost upon us, we decided to share a snapshot of her story, experience, and insight into putting together an international festival – ours in particular.

Where did you grow up and who introduced you to the arts?

I was born in England but returned as a baby to Cape Town, South Africa, where I lived with my South African parents until was almost 3 years old.

My parents met in a Johannesburg newspaper office. My mother’s family had fled to South Africa from Lithuania after the 1904 pogrom against the Jews, and the Reverend John Mackenzie came to Africa with his friend David Livingstone in the nineteenth century. Both families settled in South Africa, but neither family approved of my parents’ love for each other so, in the early 1950s, they eloped from South Africa to England and lived together unmarried until my mother was 21 years old and legally able to marry without parental consent.

Once they were married and was born they returned to South Africa to join in the fight against Apartheid. In the state of emergency in 1960, after the Sharpeville Massacre, the government arrested and imprisoned many activists without charging them or taking them to court, including my mother. With the help of her newspaper, and their many friends, she was released, and we were advised to leave the country. So, I was brought up by my parents in London, where I discovered my love of music, theatre, dance. I remember going with my mum to see Ballet Rambert when they abandoned ballet and became a contemporary dance company, going with both parents to see Peter Brook’s Midsummers Night Dream, and singing in the children’s choir set up by Benjamin Britten. My mum shared her love of pop music, and one proud day got me John Lennon’s autograph –which I still have!

How is the Adelaide Festival perceived overseas?

Adelaide Festival has a reputation around the world as the best known and best international festival in Australia, and the southern hemisphere.

It has a long and impressive record for programming the most exciting international artists – the already famous, as well as those on their way who are brought to Adelaide before they peak.

international artists from Adelaide and South Australia. Importantly, we can also share the extraordinary work First Nations artists are making.

Rachel and Neil have made a beautiful program of international artists, putting them on the same platform as equals and colleagues. Innovative and extraordinary artists such as Crystal Pite from Canada, Daniel Riley from Australian Dance Theatre here in Adelaide, Zurich Ballet (for the first time in Australia) and the Marliya Choir from Cairns, Kip Williams from Sydney, and Jennifer Koh from the USA, to name a few. Their program makes my point perfectly.

· You seem drawn to working on international festivals, why is that?

Because they are the best and most exciting way to see quality artists from around the world all in one thrilling and fun place.

If you wanted to see every artist in the Adelaide Festival, for example, you could spend a huge amount of time and money travelling to every continent of the world to find them in their home countries, or you could just have the fun of 17 days in Adelaide – with the bonus of great food, wine and beaches.

Landing a role at this festival is considered one of the best jobs in the world and many of the most respected international festival directors have worked here over its long history. I feel honoured to have the chance to take part. I was also drawn to Adelaide personally by the opportunity to work with Kath Mainland, the Festival’s new Chief Executive. We worked together on projects for the London 2012 Festival when she was in Edinburgh, and I have long admired her international career.

Could Adelaide become home?

Absolutely. I have been renting on the South Esplanade of Glenelg and as I wake up every day to the sounds and sight of the sea, can think of no better place in the world to live. I’m keen to buy!

I have sold my flat in London, and my furniture set off on a long sea voyage to Adelaide on January 5.

How important is it to include ‘local’ talent when programming a festival?

Very. All the festivals I have worked on have taught me that it is vital to use the expertise and experience of the communities you are working with. They often have more knowledge and understanding of the international cultures you are presenting.

Festivals are a showcase for the cities or countries they serve, and the job is to invite the best international artists. Some will be living and working in those cities and countries while others will come from around the world. All are of international quality and have significant and beautiful work to share.

So, for me, the Adelaide Festival must invite the best artists from around the world and recognise that includes the outstanding have always learnt how best to do my job from my audiences and the communities for whom I am working. Most of my good ideas come from conversations at the festival in the foyers of the theatre. So, if you see me at a show, please don’t be shy.

Where does your programming inspiration come from?

The Adelaide Festival runs March 3-19. Ruth’s first full festival program is in 2024 and she’ll be Associate Director up to and including 2026.

Ruth’s TOP 5 shows to see in AF23

Air Play Festival Theatre

15 – 19 MARCH

Creators and performers

Seth Bloom and Christina Gelsone are also married to one another! They’ve travelled the world performing this incredible, wordless work to over 150,000 people. It’s suitable for audiences 5 years and up – perfect to bring the grandchildren!

You’ll see umbrellas flying impossibly high, fabrics soaring over the audience, balloons swallowing people and even swirling snow, in this breathtaking work paying homage to the power of air. With clever use of movement and technology, I guarantee you will leave with a smile!

The Sheep Song

Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

Her Majesty’s Theatre

3 – 12 MARCH

The Picture of Dorian Gray was one of the smash hits of the 2022 Adelaide Festival, and director/adaptor Kip Williams has again brought his signature personal touches to the classic Robert Louis Stevenson tale, to incorporate live video and quick changes by actors Ewen Leslie and Matthew Backer in this dazzling new production. Follow London lawyer Gabriel Utterson’s attempts to unravel the mysteries surrounding his friend, Dr Henry Jekyll, and the shadowy Mr Edward Hyde.

Dunstan Playhouse

16 – 19 MARCH

Belgian theatre company FC Bergman is currently Europe’s most talked-about collectives, and I can’t wait to see what they’ll do next.

This captivating, wordless fable follows the story of one sheep who feels the desire to lead a more glorious life. It strikes a Faustian bargain and undergoes the ultimate transformation to being a fantastical odyssey, encountering the inexplicable and irrational world of human beings, with all its flamboyant and exotic characters.

Lorde

Adelaide Oval

16 MARCH

Revisor Her Majesty’s Theatre

17 – 19 MARCH

The farcical world of Nikolai Gogol’s The Government Inspector inspired this astonishing new work from one of the world’s best dance theatre companies, Kidd Pivot. The recorded script provides the score for arresting choreography brought to life by the phenomenal dancers and costumes, who move in sync with the spoken words. Gogol’s 19th-century work, set in politically corrupt Imperial Russia, draws many parallels with the 21st century…including the satirical ones!

Lorde’s impossibly catchy hit song “Royals” shot her to fame in 2013 as a 16-year-old from New Zealand who took the pop world by storm with her enthralling vocals and commanding stage presence. This special event at Adelaide Oval's Village Green marks her first South Australian visit since 2014.

With so many stellar shows in this year's Adelaide Festival line up, putting together a must-see list is no easy task. We asked Ruth to help us with her recommendations for shows to see in AF23. Mar 3 - 19 | adelaidefestival.com.au

Celebrating her 2021 album, Solar Power, Lorde is joined by LA-based trio MUNA (fresh from supporting Taylor Swift!) and South Australian singer-songwriter Stellie.

Don't miss your chance to witness the undeniable talent of these brilliant musicians on a warm summer evening.