Ganesh Versus The Third Reich

Production still for "Ganesh Versus The Third Reich". Brian Tilley. Photographer: Jeff Busby

Ganesh Versus The Third Reich

By Mark Deans, Marcia Ferguson, Bruce Gladwin, Nick Holland, Simon Laherty, Sarah Mainwaring, Scott Price, Kate Sulan, Brian Tilley & David Woods

29 September 2011 – 09 October 2011 Merlyn Theatre

Malthouse Theatre, Back to Back Theatre, Melbourne International Arts Festival,

Devised Theatre World Premiere Co-Production

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.

Cleverly interwoven in the play’s design is the story of a young man inspired to create a play about Ganesh, god of overcoming obstacles. He is an everyman who must find the strength to overcome the difficulties in his own life, and defend his play and his collaborators against an overbearing colleague.

The show is made before our very eyes and takes on its own life. It invites us to examine who has the right to tell a story and who has the right to be heard. It explores our complicity in creating and dismantling the world, human possibility and hope.

 


"...THE REMARKABLE PRODUCTION [THAT] NEVER LETS YOU SETTLE INTO PASSIVE ACCEPTANCE OF ANYTHING IT DOES. IT’S A VITAL, SENSES-SHARPENING TONIC FOR THEATERGOERS WHO FEEL THEY’VE SEEN IT ALL.” 
– Ben Brantley, The New York Times

"...COURAGEOUS, CONFRONTING, INTELLIGENT AND MAGISTERIALLY CONSIDERED THEATRE. […] THE TOWERING ACHIEVEMENT HERE IS TO STIMULATE DISCUSSION AROUND ISSUES OF CULTURAL APPROPRIATION, THE RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THOSE WHO IMAGINE AND SPEAK FOR OTHERS.” 
– Cameron Woodhead, The Age

Production still for "Ganesh Versus The Third Reich". L-R: Brian Tilley, Simon Laherty, David Woods. Photographer: Jeff Busby
Production still for "Ganesh Versus The Third Reich". L-R: Scott Price, David Woods, Brian Tilley. Photographer: Jeff Busby
Production still for "Ganesh Versus The Third Reich". L-R: Simon Laherty, Brian Tilley. Photographer: Jeff Busby
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Production still for "Ganesh Versus The Third Reich". L-R: Brian Tilley, Simon Laherty, David Woods. Photographer: Jeff Busby

Production still for "Ganesh Versus The Third Reich". L-R: Scott Price, David Woods, Brian Tilley. Photographer: Jeff Busby

Production still for "Ganesh Versus The Third Reich". L-R: Simon Laherty, Brian Tilley. Photographer: Jeff Busby

Cast

Mark Deans

Mark Deans

Devisor, Actor

Georgina Naidu

Performer

David Woods

David Woods

Devisor, Actor

Simon Laherty

Simon Laherty

Devisor, Actor

Scott Price

Scott Price

Devisor, Actor

Brian Tilley

Brian Tilley

Devisor, Actor

Creatives

Melissa Reeves

Melissa Reeves

Consultant

Andrew Livingston

Andrew Livingston

Lighting Designer

Bruce Gladwin

Bruce Gladwin

Director

Shio Otani

Shio Otani

Costume Designer

Kate Sulan

Kate Sulan

Devisor

Marcia Ferguson

Marcia Ferguson

Devisor

Lachlan Carrick

Sound Designer

Mark Cuthbertson

Mark Cuthbertson

Designer, Set and/or Property Maker, Carpenter, Cooper

Rhian Hinkley

Rhian Hinkley

Designer, Animator

Berni Sweeney

Stage Manager

Sam Jinks

Mask Maker

Paul Smits

Mask Maker

Acknowledgements

Developed with support from the 2010 Kit Denton Fellowship and the National Theatre Studio, London.

Production Program