I interviewed Alirio Zavarce who is the artistic director of No Strings attached ahead of their Australian premiere for I FORGOT TO REMEMBER TO FORGET at Dunstan Playhouse.
Alirio became the artistic director in 2016 with one of his first tasks being putting together an artistic program. With a blank canvas to work with and having consulted the performers, he determined that many of the performers had memory problems. And this was the origin of this production. Fast forward to 2018, the production makes it world premiere to a sold out audience in Singapore at the true colours festival. The true colours festival is a festival dedicated to actors with a disability. A truly mind blowing experience for these actors to perform at the festival and experience a different culture in Singapore.
Following the festival, discussion was had with the Adelaide Festival Centre about having the Australian premiere here in Adelaide.
Alirio discussed with me how amazing it is to work with such talented actors who makes his job absolutely rewarding each and every day.
He mentions that another show by No Strings Attached appeared at Dream Big Festival which was a huge success and his 2019 continues to be busy with another show currently in production which is a showcase from the entire company.
But one thing I couldn’t get out of his was the exciting plans he has ahead for 2020 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of No Strings Attached. Guess we will have to watch this space for those developments.
I forgot to remember to forget is an exciting collaboration co-created by performers from No Strings Attached who share their own lived experiences of acquiring a disability through illness, injury or birth.
With touching insight, I Forgot to Remember to Forget explores resilience, how we deal with and accept change, how sometimes we have to re-learn everything and how sometimes we forget it all. It is a reminder of our responsibility as friends, family and a society to remember the value and place of the individual in community, even when they themselves might not remember any more. Simply beautiful.
“This is a work that has been gently and delicately brought to life and the result is a deeply touching and enchanting piece of theatre.” Shona Benson
Devised, Written and Directed by Alirio Zavarce.
Created in collaboration with Michaela Cantwell, Kathryn Hall, Cassie Litchfield, Kym Mackenzie and Duncan Luke.
Interview done by Tony Polese
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