Two years ago an actress working for the Almeida Theatre, Jessica Boyd, revealed that she was the grand-daughter of Arthur Boyd, perhaps the most remarkable Australian painter of the twentieth century. More specifically, she told me of his extraordinary bequest to his nation in the form of a property, next to the Shoalhaven River in the midst of stunning countryside, for the use of artists to stay and work in peace and tranquillity, all funded by his charity, the Bundanon Trust. And was this something that would interest the theatre?
 
I felt that whatever we did, it should act as a cultural bridge between our two countries; theatrically speaking we are a frequent exporter, but a minimal importer. We share a common language but, unlike America, don’t know a great deal about their theatrical tradition and living theatre artists.
 
As the start of a cultural dialogue I offered to lead a workshop on acting Shakespeare, involving British and Australian practitioners. This culminated in four British and six Australian actors, plus a young, indigenous Australian director, joining myself and Cicely Berry (the RSC’s brilliant Head of Voice) last October for two weeks at the Bundanon retreat (about two and a half hours from Sydney).
 
The venture was jointly funded and organised by the Almeida Theatre and the Sydney Theatre Company, plus, of course, Arthur Boyd’s Bundanon Trust. The four English actors were Richard Cordery, with whom I worked at the RSC and three cast members from the Almeida’s recent Big White Fog; Jenny Jules (who played Ella and is now in The Homecoming), Tunji Kasim (who played Les) and Gugu Mbatha-Raw (who played Wanda).
 
The one condition I had was that the workshop should not be shaped by the pressure to produce something specific to be performed publicly, but should focus on methodology and process.
 
The result was a thrilling and rewarding period of work - at the end of the two weeks none of us involved wanted to stop. Numerous rich new friendships still continue to reach round the globe. Prior to the time in Bundanon, I spent a week in Sydney as a guest of the Sydney Theatre Company, seeing performances and meeting as many of Australia’s top writers, directors and actors as I could. I can’t thank Andrew Upton and Cate Blanchett (incoming artistic directors) and Robyn Nevin (outgoing) enough for their warmth and generosity.
 
The trip has already given birth to a joint project on a new Australian play and the offer of work here for three Australian practitioners. Long may our collaboration continue.

 
Michael Attenborough
Artistic Director