Questions for John to premiere this Autumn at Théâtre Vidy-Lausanne
Complicité’s latest production, Questions for John, will premiere this Autumn at Théâtre Vidy-Lausanne, Switzerland before touring the UK and Europe in 2027; which includes stops at MC93, Paris and Les Célestins, Théâtre de Lyon next Spring. Further tour dates for 2027 will be announced soon.
This new solo work from the company’s Artistic Director and Co-founder, Simon McBurney marks his first appearance on stage since the ★★★★★ ‘tour de force’ (The Financial Times) The Encounter.
Following two work-in-progress performances at last year’s Edinburgh International Festival, Questions for John explores McBurney’s friendship with the late writer, critic and storyteller, John Berger. McBurney and Berger conversed, collaborated, freely supported and intimately shared their collective processes for 25 years, from 1992 to 2017. The pair collaborated on numerous projects including Mnemonic, A Disappearing Number and The Three Lives of Lucie Cabrol, a stage adaptation of Berger’s text Into Their Labours.
The premiere of Questions for John will coincide with the centenary of Berger’s birth, a moment which will be celebrated through a programme of events at Théâtre Vidy-Lausanne in the Autumn, including a screening of The Three Lives of Lucie Cabrol, and throughout the year across Europe. You can find out more here.
Conceived, written and performed by McBurney, Questions for John is directed by Omar Elerian (Misty, ECHO, Nowhere), with dramaturgy by Max Porter (Grief Is the Thing with Feathers, Shy, Steve) and set and costume design by Tim Hatley (The Three Lives of Lucie Cabrol, The Caucasian Chalk Circle, Endgame).
Simon McBurney, Complicité Artistic Director and Co-founder said: “John had a very extraordinary way of looking at the world; a way of listening, a way of commenting which joined the political with the spiritual, the artistic, the philosophical. The work is a lot about John, but it’s also about the state of the world and the very difficult place we find ourselves in. And of course the question for all of us is what can we do about it? And what is art’s place in all of this?”
John Berger Book Club
Complicité productions are crafted from years of sustained research, discussion and exploration. As the company continues to develop Questions for John, we want to share deeper insights into this process alongside celebrating the works of John Berger, to mark his centenary. We are launching our version of a monthly book club, focusing on a different Berger text each month. We’ll highlight the text we’re currently thinking about, and share how it has shaped the development of Questions for John.
Launching in July, this series is an exclusive offer for our membership programme which brings supporters closer to the company, our influences and the creation of our work.
You can join as a Complicité member from £100 annually, which will also grant you early access to tickets for future UK tour dates and an exclusive annual event programme. Find out more here.
If you would like to find out more about additional ways you can directly support the creation of Question for John, including our invite-only commissioning circle, please get in touch.
Lecoq 70th Anniversary Workshop
As part of the coming year’s activity, reflecting on and celebrating key influential figures in Complicité’s history, the company will run a week-long masterclass in the Autumn to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Ecole internationale de théâtre Jacques Lecoq, in partnership with the school.
Lecoq’s practice was hugely influential for the founding members of Complicité, with many of the company’s ensemble having studied directly under him, and the school’s methodology continues to shape the company’s work to this day.
Titled The Masks of the Jacques Lecoq School – Toward the Structures of Play the masterclass will be aimed at theatre professionals (theatre makers, directors, choreographers, etc.) and led by Jos Houben; long-time Complicité collaborator and former student, now teacher at Lecoq and François Lecomte, fellow teacher at Lecoq. There will also be a special day of collaborative exchange featuring Simon McBurney and members of the Lecoq team.
Applications will open later this month.
You can become as a Complicité member from £100 annually. Join today to be brought closer to the company, our influences and the creation of our work.