Nov 17Nov 21, 2026
GANESH VERSUS THE THIRD REICH Back to Back Theatre
Australia
This bold and funny theatrical fable shatters power dynamics and preconceptions. A masterpiece.
The elephant-headed god, Ganesh, crosses Nazi Germany to retrieve the swastika, an ancient Hindu symbol misappropriated by Hitler’s regime. But as this fable comes to life, another story emerges: that of the actors themselves, questioning their legitimacy as storytellers. Who can tell what story? Who decides who gets listened to? Set in striking scenography, made up of superposed layers of text, silhouettes and landscapes, this piece blurs the lines between truth and fiction. Made up chiefly of neurodivergent and disabled artists, the Australian company, Back to Back Theatre, uses humour to challenge power dynamics, conventions and pre-conceived ideas. Created in 2011, this iconic play is performed as part of the Portrait dedicated to Back to Back by the Festival d’Automne.
Overtitled in French
Creation Mark Deans, Marcia Ferguson, Bruce Gladwin, Nicki Holland, Simon Laherty, Sarah Mainwaring, Scott Price, Kate Sulan, Brian Tilley, David Woods
Direction, creation and scenography Bruce Gladwin
Additional performance Georgina Naidu
Lighting design Andrew Livingston, Bluebottle
Set design and construction Mark Cuthbertson
Design and animation Rhian Hinkley
Music composition Jóhann Jóhannsson
Mask design and construction Sam Jinks, Paul Smits
Translation Karen Witthuhn, Greg Bailey
Script consultant Melissa Reeves
Additional on-screen performance Georgina Naidu
Costume design Shio Otani
Creative development actors Brian Lipson, James Saunders, Sonia Teuben
Featuring Simon Laherty, Scott Price, Brian Tilley, (TBA).
Production Back To Back Theatre
Developed with the support of Creative Victoria and funding from the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its advisory body for arts funding; the City of Melbourne; the Sidney Myer Fund and the Keir Foundation; the 2009 Kit Denton Fellowship; the National Theatre Studio (London); the Geelong Performing Arts Centre; and the Goethe-Institut (Melbourne)
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 Geelong; and the Anthony Costa Foundation.
The Festival d’Automne’s Back to Back Theatre Portrait is supported by the Australian Embassy in France, FACEF and Abilitis.
The Théâtre de la Cité internationale, the Théâtre de la Ville-Paris and the Festival d’Automne in Paris are co-producing this production.
This performance contains adult themes and course language.
