NEANDERTHAL – Histoire(s) du Théâtre VIII

Inspired by conversation with paleoanthropologists, a philosopher, a Lacanian psychoanalyst and six actors with an intellectual disability, Back to Back Theatre presents NEANDERTHAL an expansive work that interrogates the themes of extinction and cognition.

In a sweeping narrative that moves between pre-history and the contemporary, an acclaimed voice over artist specialising in American accent and omniscient tone tries to get the life he wants, but fails. NEANDERTHAL utilises a story within a story structure. In the midst of recording a natural history series, The Last of the Neanderthals, a sequence of life changing events forces the voice over artist to face his own obsolescence.

Devisors: Bruce Gladwin, Alana Hoggart, Erin Kearns, Grace Kenny, Simon Laherty, Nathan Legg, Sarah Mainwaring, Scott Price, Ingrid Voorendt, Jessica Walker.

Director: Bruce Gladwin

Composer: Andy Clausen

NEANDERTHAL – Histoire(s) du Théâtre VIII was originally commissioned by Monash University through MPAC.

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government’s Major Festivals Initiative, managed by Creative Australia, its arts funding and advisory body, in association with the Confederation of Australian International Arts Festivals Inc., commissioned by RISING Melbourne, Sydney Festival, Adelaide Festival, Perth Festival, Wiener Festwochen (Vienna), Kunstenfestivaldesartes (Brussels), Berliner Festspiele (Berlin) and Festival d’Automne (Paris) and Culturgest (Lisbon).

Back to Back Theatre is supported by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body, the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria, the City of Greater Geelong and the Anthony Costa Foundation with support from the Keir Foundation and Geelong Arts Centre.