Ganesh Versus The Third Reich program

GANESH VERSUS THE THIRD REICH SEPTEMBER 29 – OCTOBER 9 2011

Image Credit: Limona Studios, Mumbai, 2009

Malthouse Theatre and Melbourne Festival present Back to Back Theatre

GANESH VERSUS THE THIRD REICH ....

Director, Devisor & Design Bruce Gladwin Performed by Mark Deans, Simon Laherty, Scott Price, Brian Tilley & David Woods Additional Performance Georgina Naidu Devisors Mark Deans, Marcia Ferguson, Bruce Gladwin, Nicki Holland, Simon Laherty, Sarah Mainwaring, Scott Price, Kate Sulan, Brian Tilley & David Woods Lighting Design Andrew Livingston, Bluebottle Design & Set Construction Mark Cuthbertson Design & Animation Rhian Hinkley Composer Jóhann Jóhannsson Mask Design & Construction Sam Jinks & Paul Smits Costume Design Shio Otani Creative Development Actors Brian Lipson, James Saunders & Sonia Teuben Stage Manager Berni Sweeney Sound Design & Mix Lachlan Carrick Script Consultant Melissa Reeves Support Worker Jo Leishman Sound System Design Hugh Covill Lighting Operator Michele Bauer Assistant Stage Manager Louise Miller

Costumiers Anna Pontelandolfo & Dina Lira Knitters Patricia Chircop, Sue Southern & Rohani Osman German Language Coaches Elizabeth Klaus & Michiko Weiman Transcription Anna Pollard Translation Karen Witthuhn & Greg Bailey Ganesh Versus The Third Reich opened in the Merlyn Theatre, The Malthouse, on Thursday 29 September, 2011

MERLYN THEATRE, SEPTEMBER 29 – OCTOBER 9, 2011 In memory of Rick Merrigan, a fine treasurer and man

Pictured: Brian Tilley & Simon Laherty. Image Credit: Jeff Busby

DIRECTOR’S NOTES

....

Rita Halabarec and Sonia Teuben, two actors who have now left our ensemble, set us off on the narrative journey. Rita spent nine months drawing Ganesh, in blue biro on reams of white paper, while Sonia birthed a terrifying Neo Nazi skinhead in the rehearsal room. Our story was apprehended and realised by multiple minds.

In 2008 we conceived of Ganesh Versus the Third Reich, the fantastical journey of the elephantheaded Hindu God traveling from India to Germany to reclaim the swastika from the Nazis.

The actors, the collaborators all thought it was a great conceit and we took collective pleasure imagining its potential.

We knew our narrative was morally fraught; it was too dangerous for a little theatre company from Geelong to appropriate Hindu gods and create a fairytale within the Holocaust. Despite our pleasure the show could not be made.

Over time our thinking shifted. Our self-imposed censorship - our reasoning that we should not create the work - became our rationale for bringing it to life.

Ganesh Versus the Third Reich is not only a hero’s adventure of epic proportions but the story of its making. It is Back to Back’s attempt to test and understand its own cultural and moral limitations.

BRUCE GLADWIN ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Sketches this page and over by Rita Halabarec

FROM THE ENSEMBLE

....

We're a group of individuals, the same yet different.

Nicki collects weight loss books, Brian collects animes, Sarah collects yellow lids, Simon used to collect rubber bands, Scott collects gamer software, Mark collects cap guns. We play cops, gods, misfits. We like toys. We are part of the Geelong community, citizens of Australia. We represent our company on every single tour. We phase out sometimes. Go blank. Easily distracted.

We have vivid imaginations. We work hard. We can all act. We welcome new artists. We show empowering work.

We love a challenge.

We open doors. We're friends. Like family, we sometimes argue and we make up. We have high standards. We expect to be better, to achieve rock 'n' roll status, to change the world to create a sustainable and accessible future for people with disabilities.

We've got a lot of love to give. Share the love.

LACHLAN CARRICK SOUND DESIGN & MIX Lachlan wrangles sound for music, film and theatre projects. His relationship with Back to Back Theatre began with Soft back in 2002, then continued with Small Metal Objects (2005) and Food Court (2008).

MARK CUTHBERTSON DESIGN & SET CONSTRUCTION Mark’s art practice endeavors to develop and deliver a sense of encounter through the experimentation of materials and technique.

Recent collaborations include Soft (2002) and Food Court (2008) with Back to Back Theatre and Urchin (2010) with Christopher Brown.

MARK DEANS DEVISOR/PERFORMER Mark joined Back to Back in 1989. Mark is a comic performer of rare talent and exquisite timing, “a modern day Chaplin” (Adelaide Advertiser). He has created some of the most memorable characters in Back to Back’s repertoire. Recent work includes The Democratic Set and Food Court (Melbourne, Geelong, Brussels, Sydney, Adelaide, London).

MARCIA FERGUSON DEVISOR Marcia is a theatre director, writer and dramaturg and is currently Artistic

Associate at Back to Back Theatre where she directs and co-devises new work, and curates Back to Back’s outreach and community arts programs including Theatre of Speed.

BRUCE GLADWIN DIRECTOR Bruce specialises in the development of adventurous theatrical work, working as director, designer and writer. For Back to Back Theatre he has created Mental (1999), Dog Farm (2000), Soft (2002), Small Metal Objects (2005) and Food Court (2008).

RHIAN HINKLEY DESIGN & ANIMATION Rhian is a video artist and filmmaker who has been working with Back to Back Theatre for over ten years. In 2009 he formed Encyclopaedia of Animals with Christopher Brown, creating Urchin (2010).

NICKI HOLLAND DEVISOR Nicki joined Back to Back in 1997 and has gone on to create a series of emotionally and romantically thwarted characters. Her latest role was Jenny in Food Court (Melbourne, Geelong, Brussels, Sydney, London, Adelaide). She has also been a collaborator on The Democratic Set residencies.

SAM JINKS MASK DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION Sam Jinks is a sculptor. Since 2005 he has exhibited widely in Australia. His work can be found in the McClelland Gallery + Sculpture Park, Langwarrin, Victoria, Museo Escultura Figurativa Internacional Contemporánea (MEFIC), Portugal and various public international collections and private collections within Australia. Sam is represented by Karen Woodbury Gallery.

JÓHANN JÓHANNSSON COMPOSER Jóhann Jóhannsson is an Icelandic composer. In addition to composing for film, dance and theatre, he has specialised in a unique blend of chamber music and electronics and has released seven solo albums on the labels Touch and 4AD. SIMON LAHERTY DEVISOR/PERFORMER Simon‘s involvement with Back to Back started in 1999. Since then he has been an important contributor to the development and growth of Back to Back’s community program, Theatre of Speed. Since joining the ensemble in 2003, he has made an enormous contribution to the company particularly in his role as Steve in Small Metal Objects which has now travelled to 30 cities around the world.

ANDREW LIVINGSTON LIGHTING DESIGN Andrew has worked on a number of projects with Back to Back Theatre since 1999. He is a Co-Director of Bluebottle and a dad. He is on a long journey to explore the relations between light and the built form.

SARAH MAINWARING DEVISOR Sarah has a Bachelor of Arts (Performing Arts) from Victoria University. She has a particular interest in avant-garde and physical theatre. Sarah has developed a number of original solo performances; Foreign Body (directed by John Bolton), I'm Me And I'm Ok and Out On A Limb (directed by Lloyd Jones). For Back to Back, Sarah plays the role of Lesley in Food Court and has toured with The Democratic Set. SHIO OTANI COSTUME DESIGN Shio is crafty and loves cats, bling and cycling. She knits, felts and sews pretty things. Shio has designed costumes for Back To Back Theatre’s Soft (2002), Small Metal Objects (2005), and Food Court (2008) as well as for Jo Lloyd and Rhian Hinkley.

SCOTT PRICE DEVISOR/PERFORMER Scott began working with Theatre of Speed in 2005 and joined the ensemble in 2007. Scott’s forte is in devised performance, improvising text and characters such as the young man in Food Court (Melbourne, Sydney, Brussels, Geelong, London, Adelaide) and the Tour Guide creative development (Austria).

KATE SULAN DEVISOR Kate is a director and dramaturg based in Melbourne. She is the Artistic Director of Rawcus, a theatre company of performers with and without disabilities. Kate has worked on various projects with Back to Back Theatre since 2001.

BRIAN TILLEY DEVISOR/PERFORMER Brian’s time at Back to Back began in 2003 as a participant of Theatre of Speed.

Since joining the ensemble he has performed in numerous Theatre of Speed productions, in Tour Guide (Austria) and as a collaborator with The Democratic Set. DAVID WOODS DEVISOR/PERFORMER Actor David Woods is from Perth, Scotland. He has been the joint Artistic Director of the "not so much funny as unsettling"

performance group Ridiculusmus since its inception in 2002. David has also appeared in the Malthouse Theatre/Belvoir co-production Exit The King, the Malthouse Theatre/Sydney Opera House/Edinburgh Festival co-production Optimism and the Malthouse production Elizabeth.

Back to Back Theatre would like to thank: The amazing team at Malthouse Theatre, Andrew Denton, ANZ Trustees and the Truby and Florence Williams Charitable Trust, Atul Joshi, Austin Paterson, Councillor Barbara Abley, Brett Sheehy, Catherine Jones, Clive Scott, David Symons, Debra Morgan, Greg Bailey, Ian McRae, Jacqueline Woodman, Jill Smith, Julie Cotter, Kathryn Ross, Kaz Paton, Klaus Krischok, Lin Tobias, Louise Bradley, Lyn Wallis, Marion Potts, Mark Beasley, Michelle Hall, Mike Harris, Phillip Keir, Purni Morrell, Robyn Archer, Rose Hiscock, Sandy Merrigan, Shaun Cannon, Stephen Armstrong, Tanya Bennett, Teresa Zolnierkiewicz, Union House Theatre.

Families, friends and long-standing fans of Back to Back Theatre, thank you.

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                            

                           

                 

              

Melbourne Festival is one of the world’s leading arts festivals and Australia’s premier celebration of art and culture from around the world. Each October the Festival brings an unparalleled feast of theatre, dance, music, visual arts, multimedia and outdoor events to Melbourne.

By exclusively debuting and premiering the finest local, national and international events, Melbourne is the only place in Australia that many of these shows are seen.

The 2011 Melbourne Festival runs from 6 – 22 October, with this performance you are now attending one of the many wonderful shows on offer.

To browse our complete program, you can either download the Festival iPhone App or flip through the online guide at melbournefestival.com.au.

For the best way to receive all the latest Festival news, subscribe to our eNewsletter and be the first to know what goes on when the stage lights go down! melbournefestival.com.au Principal Partner

Public Partner

....

gratefully acknowledges its supporters

PRINCIPAL GOVERNMENT PARTNERS MALTHOUSE THEATRE IS SUPPORTED BY THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE AUSTRALIA COUNCIL, ITS ARTS FUNDING AND ADVISORY BODY

MAJOR PARTNER PRODUCTION PARTNER

MEDIA PARTNER

CORPORATE PARTNERS CORPORATE ASSOCIATES

TRUSTS & FOUNDATIONS Annamila Pty Ltd

Education & Youth Access Program

Artists in Residence Program Artist Program

Tom Kantor Fund Indigenous Theatre Program

Company in Residence Program Malthouse Regional Performance Projects

Slome-Topol Family Charitable Trust The Engine Room & Women Directors Internship Program

The Malcom Robertson Foundation

At The Malthouse - 113 Sturt Street Southbank VIC 3006 Box Office +61 3 9685 5111 Administration +61 3 9685 5100 Facsimile +61 3 9685 5112 Email admin@malthousetheatre.com.au Web www.malthousetheatre.com.au BOARD OF DIRECTORS Simon Westcott (Chair), Frankie Airey, John Daley, Michele Levine, Ian McRae, Neil Smart, Thea Snow, Sigrid Thornton, Kerri Turner, Leonard Vary.

Artistic Director Executive Producer

Marion Potts Jo Porter

Marketing & Business Operations Manager Emma Calverley Company Managers Nina Bonacci & Julian Hobba Assistant to Company Manager Marc Psaila Administrator Narda Shanley Associate Artist- Direction Matthew Lutton Associate Artist- Design Paul Jackson Director in Residence Anne-Louise Sarks Finance Manager Mario Agostinoni Finance Assistant Liz White Finance Assistant Connie Stella Philanthropy Manager Tamara Harrison Marketing & Communications Coordinator Carl Nilsson-Polias Development Coordinator Jaclyn Birtchnell Media Manager Annette Vieusseux Media Coordinator Lucy Forge Ticketing Manager Emma Howard Ticketing Assistant Lauren White Executive Assistant Carla Di Stefano Audience Development Consultant Jason Tamiru Building Manager Peter Mandersloot Bar Manager Cherry Rivers Front of House Managers Tristan Watson & Sean Ladhams

Production Manager David Miller Technical Manager Baird McKenna Operations Manager Dexter Varley Interim Production Coordinator Leonie Dixon Head Electricians Michele Bauer & Stewart Birkinshaw Campbell Head Mechanist Andy Moore Workshop Supervisor David Craig Head of Wardrobe Amanda Carr Wardrobe Assistant Chloe Greaves Steel Fabricator Goffredo Mameli Scenic Artist Patrick Jones Props Master Ross Murray (lifetime recognition) Front of House/Bar Staff Matt Adair, Michelle Baginski, Claire Beynon, Rebecca Bower, Jacqui Brown, Ben Carollo, Rowan Michael Davie, Tom Dent, Alice Dixon, Graham Downey, Tanja George, Eden Gery, Kate Golding, Chloe Greaves, Kate Gregory, Simon Jeanes, Gabrielle Lowe, Bridie McCarthy, Anna Nalpantidis, Daniel Newell, Ruby Nolan, Kliment Poposki, Beck Rafferty, Claire Richardson, Caleb Shea, Mimosa Schmidt, Kathryn Stuckey, Phoebe Taylor, Jade Thomson, Lee Threadgold, Pete Walker, Janine Watson.

Box Office Staff Liz Bastian, Paul Buckley, Mark Byrne, Sonja Fea, Rachel Dyson-McGregor, Cindy Elliott, Kate Gregory, Michelle Hines, Fiona Wiseman, Janine Watson, Liz White.

With special thanks to Michael Kantor, Stephen Armstrong & Catherine Jones.

Malthouse Theatre would like to acknowledge the people of the Kulin nation on whose land this work is being presented.

This program has been printed on 100% recycled paper using soya based inks.

MUSE DONOR PROGRAM

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the following donors: URANIA (Muse of the Stars) Annamila Pty Ltd, The Dara Foundation CLIO (Muse of History) Berry Liberman & Daniel Almagor, John & Lorraine Bates, Michele Levine THALIA (Muse of Comedy) Betty Amsden OAM, Daniel & Danielle Besen, Eva Besen AO & Marc Besen AO, Debbie Dadon, Roger Donazzan & Margaret Jackson AC, Neilma Gantner, Colin Golvan SC, Peter & Anne Laver, Richard Leonard, Elisabeth & John Schiller, Philanthropy Squared, Trawalla Foundation, Anonymous (1) MELPOMENE (Muse of Tragedy) Chryssa Anagnostou & Jim Tsaltas, Terry Cutler, D.L & G.S Gjergja, Ian Hocking & Rosemary Forbes, Tim & Lynne Sherwood, Simon Westcott & Dr. Ben Keith, Tom Wright, Anonymous (1) EUTERPE (Muse of Music) Ingrid Ashford, Beth Brown & Tom Bruce AM, Ingrid & Per Carlsen, Dominic Dirupo & Natalie Dwyer, Carolyn Floyd, William J Forrest AM, John & Helen Gibbins, Brian Goddard, Scott Herron, Michael Kingston, Naomi Milgrom AO, Dame Elisabeth Murdoch AC DBE, Rae Rothfield, Neil & Barbara Smart, Leonard Vary & Matt Collins, Jason Waple, Phil & Heather Wilson, Angelika & Pete Zangmeister TERPSICHORE (Muse of Dance) Roger Blythman, Sally Browne, Diana Burleigh, David Byrne, Min Li Chong, Sieglind D’Arcy, Rev Fr Michael Elligate, Taleen Gaidzkar, Leonie Hollingworth, Brad Hooper, Graeme & Joan Johnson, Ann Kemeny & Graham Johnson, K & J Lindsay, Pamela McLure, Sir Gustave Nossal AC CBE & Lady Nossal, Robert Peters, Karen Russel, Ernie Schwartz, Jenny Schwarz, Gina Stuart,Fiona Sweet & Paul Newcombe, Dr. Victor & Dr. Karen Wayne, Anonymous(2) ERATO (Muse of Love) Stephen Alley, Graham & Anita Anderson, Amanda Bede, Sandra Beanham, John Carruthers, Tim & Rachel Cecil, Dianne Clark, Patricia Coutts, Mary Crean AM, Tania de Jong AM, Doreen Dempster, Paul Gardner, Peggy Hayton, Shirley Hickey, Roberta Holmes, Susan Humphries, Irene Irvine, Vas Katos, Irene Kearsey, Patricia Keith, Ruth Krawat, Anna Lozynski, Gael & Ian McRae, Brad Martin, Robyn & John Morris, Dr. Kersti Nogeste, Linda Notley, David O’Connell & Jarrod Haberfield, Tony Oliver, Irene Purcell, John & Margot Rogers, Maria Sola, Thea & Hadyn Snow, John Thomas, Ann Tonks, Rosemary Walls, Jan Watson, Joanne Whyte, Dr. Roger Woock & Fiona Clyne, Angharad Wynne-Jones, Barbara Yuncken, Anonymous (11) To find out more about the Malthouse Theatre Muse program, please contact Philanthropy Manager Tamara Harrison on 03 9685 5162 / tharrison@malthousetheatre.com.au.

Donations of $2 or more are tax deductible.