The Global Media Site for Entertainment.
Menu
Australia’s theatre company Back to Back Theatre has been awarded the International Ibsen Award 2022, considered the ‘Nobel Prize of Theatre’. This is a major accomplishment. Stellar really, since it is the first time Australians win this prestigious award. Previous recipients include iconic artists such as Taylor Mac, Christoph Marthaler, Forced Entertainment, Peter Handke, Peter Brook, Ariane Mnouchkine, Heiner Goebbels, and Jon Fosse.
Based in the Victorian regional centre of Geelong, Back to Back Theatre have performed 72 national and 89 international seasons. They have also performed at leading contemporary arts festivals and venues all over the world.
By fusing the factual and fictional, the experienced and speculative, the brutal and gentle, Back to Back Theatre creates dramatic art that is always unpredictable, always unexpected, always unique.
Since starting out in 1987, they have, in the words of the awards committee, “consistently and defiantly challenged social and cultural perceptions and constructs.”
Never settling for easy solutions and neat notions of closure, Back to Back opt instead for a theatre of possibilities. A theatre grounded in collaboration, multiple co-existing perspectives, and necessary chaos. Acknowledging that democracy is messy and difficult.
The Norwegian government established the International Ibsen Award in 2007. The winner receives NOK 2.5 million and is selected by a committee comprising of six theatre professionals appointed by the Norwegian Ministry of Culture.
The National Theatre hosts the secretariat of The International Ibsen Award and assists the committee.
The award winner is announced every other year in connection to March 20ieth, Henrik Ibsen’s birthday. And the award ceremony always takes place at the National Theatre in Oslo in September.
This year, the award will be presented at a ceremony in Oslo on September 18th.
Anette Trettebergstuen, Minister of Culture and Equality of Norway said: “It’s thrilling to observe the development of the International Ibsen Award during its relatively short life span.”
“In just a few years, the Award has grown to be one of the most prominent theatre prizes in the world. Which says a lot about Ibsen’s significance both internationally and in Norway.”
“In nominating this year’s recipient, the Committee has reached a decision that clearly demonstrates the artistic, social and ethical forces at work within the theatre.”
“I congratulate the Australian theatre company Back to Back as the winners of this year’s International Ibsen Award.”
“They are an innovative, fearless and unique theatre company that puts important ethical and human issues on the agenda. This year’s winners demonstrate a fundamental respect for the individual. Creating a theatre that places the human centre stage, while asking difficult questions of their audience, the wider community, and themselves.”
Ingrid Lorentzen, Chair of the International Ibsen Award Committee and Artistic Director of the Norwegian National Ballet announced: “We are proud to be able to honor an outstanding and unique theatre company that asks questions of their audience, of society and of each other through ground-breaking productions. Back to Back’s work is exciting, unsettling, and thought-provoking. It inspires us to be better artists and better people.”
“This unique Australian theatre company gives voice to social and political issues, and their work is a relentlessly collective practice, where several creators, ideas and perspectives are always present and create a space for inclusion and opportunities. This is part of what makes their work so memorable and so important. “
“They have inspired and moved each of us in the committee, and we look forward to presenting this well-earned award to this theatre company.”
Scott Price, ensemble member of Back to Back, Winner of the International Ibsen Award 2022 said: “It is a privilege and an honour to receive this major award for our achievements in theatre. It means a lot. Recognition of our art. This was probably the proudest day in my career.”
Bruce Gladwin, Artistic Director and Co-CEO of the theatre company commented: “Many amazing artists have collaborated with our ensemble over the last 30 years.”
“The presentation of the International Ibsen Award honours not only the ensemble’s talent and unique insight as social commentators but the richness and depth of Australian contemporary theatre.”
We at TheatreArtLife also want to wholeheartedly congratulate Back to Back theatre for receiving the Ibsen Award. Thank you for your outstanding contributions to the performing arts!
TheatreNews article from March 21st, 2022
Back to Back Theatre, Official Website
National Theatre Norway, Ibsen Award, Official Website
Opera Village Africa – a Vision by Director Christoph Schlingensief
Wunika Mukan, Nigeria-Based Curator, on Giving African Artists a Voice
Liam Klenk was born in Central Europe and has since lived on four continents. Liam has always been engaged in creative pursuits, ranging from photography and graphic design, to writing short stories and poetry, to working in theatre and shows. In 2016, Liam published his first book and memoir, 'Paralian'.
Read Full Profile
© 2021 TheatreArtLife. All rights reserved.
Thank you so much for reading, but you have now reached your free article limit for this month.
Our contributors are currently writing more articles for you to enjoy.
To keep reading, all you have to do is become a subscriber and then you can read unlimited articles anytime.
Your investment will help us continue to ignite connections across the globe in live entertainment and build this community for industry professionals.
