Hurtling Forward

Back to Back Theatre has added yet another feather to its already resplendent cap. The company has been awarded the 2011 Melbourne Festival Age Critics Award for its work Ganesh Versus the Third Reich.

The story begins with the elephant-headed god Ganesh travelling through Nazi Germany to reclaim the Swastika, an ancient Hindu symbol. As this intrepid hero embarks on his journey, a second narrative is revealed: the actors themselves begin to feel the weighty responsibility of storytellers and question the ethics of cultural appropriation.

For twenty-five years, the Geelong-based theatre company has created innovative work that defies convention, challenges logic and questions the imperative to be 'normal'.

The fact that the ensemble is driven by actors that are perceived to have an intellectual disabled is remarkable, but it is by no means the most interesting thing about the group. Their work is simply beautiful - haunting and complex - and it has resonated with audiences around the world.

"We are not afraid to step into the cold, dark side. At first we're scared, but afterwards we feel good. We are witty, emotional, we go deep into the work, we go places you can't go in real life," said Artistic Director Bruce Gladwin.

In recent years, with a combination of organisational, development and touring funding from the Victorian Government, Back to Back's profile has grown considerably. The company's last four major works debuted to critical acclaim at the Melbourne International Arts Festival before taking a slew of major arts awards and touring overseas.

One of the company's most celebrated performances, Small Metal Objects, won the inaugural Age Critics' Special Commendation in 2005 and was nominated for Best New Australian Work at the Helpmann Awards. It went on to open in 29 countries, including New York's Under the Radar Festival, where it took a prestigious 'Bessie' Award - the New York Dance and Performance equivalent of an Oscar - in January 2009. Small Metal Objects also toured to the Seoul Performing Arts Festival in October 2011 whilst FOOD COURT had its German premiere in November 2011 at the prestigious Hebbel am Ufer in Berlin as part of the No Limits Festival.

Other awards and prizes include the 2005 Myer Foundation Performing Arts Award for Back to Back's long-standing contribution to the development of Australian theatre and the Zurich Theatre Festival's 2007 ZKB Acknowledgement Prize for extraordinary artistic achievement.

Firmly entrenched as one of Victoria's most accomplished and ground-breaking companies, Back to Back also earned a $25,000 grant from the Kit Denton foundation to support the creation and development of Ganesh Versus the Third Reich.

Established in 2007 in the memory of poet, screenwriter and lyricist Kit Denton, the Fellowship promotes courage, champions bold and challenging ideas and rewards talent and excellence in performance writing.

Find out more about this exciting theatre company on the Back to Back website.