Pietrangelo Buttafuoco

Niger et Albus is the dichotomous framework that Stefano Ricci and Gianni Forte (ricci/forte) have chosen for this edition, which concludes their term as Artistic Directors of Biennale Teatro. Once again, they have articulated their vision programmatically, in the form of a manifesto, where Niger is the darkness to be sliced open with the help of Albus. Both are pathways to be undertaken with clarity and integrity; they must avoid overlaps – and thus grey areas. 

Equally clearcut is the awarding of the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at this 52nd edition to Back to Back Theatre. The Australian company has succeeded in bringing a subject that ableist society finds complex – namely, disability and the impaired body – to audiences all over the world. It has done so without piety, avoiding the narrow confines of what is deemed ideologically correct, and setting out a pioneering form of disability activism. Since 1998, the ensemble has created a remarkable body of work, reflecting the ideas, desires, frustrations and thoughts of its founders and members. Founded by Simon Laherty, Sarah Mainwaring, Scott Price, and currently led by Bruce Gladwin, the company’s productions contain fierceness and poetry, taboo and bravery all at once. Disability thus becomes a tool for exploration and knowledge; meanwhile, the perceived notion of normality is revealed as a hypocritical blindfold that limits our horizons and points of view – Niger et Albus, again.

The strengthening of the Theatre Department is part of La Biennale’s strategic objectives, with a significant increase in the resources allocated to its College. In this case, data from 2023 come to the rescue to clarify the scope of the Foundation’s enthusiasm and involvement. The three calls for proposals open to national and international artists received 206 applications, which led to the selection of five directors, writers and performers. The seven Masterclasses alone garnered 293 applications from no fewer than 26 countries.

Throughout its 90 years of activity, the International Theatre Festival has always been able to renew itself and express the spirit of the times. It was one of the first Departments to be established (in 1934), and period photos tell us of memorable beginnings, with Max Reinhardt’s production of The Merchant of Venice staged in its titular city, in Campo San Trovaso. The city made a stage for itself, and under the Venetian sky its citizens became an audience. 

Numbers, skies – when the outlook is the same in both, it’s always worth believing. 

Our thanks go to the Ministero della Cultura and the Regione Veneto, the regional Institutions that each in their own way support La Biennale, the City of Venice, the Soprintendenza Archeologia, belle arti e paesaggio per il Comune di Venezia e Laguna, the Italian Navy.
We would also like to thank Rai, Media Partner for La Biennale di Venezia.