A little note on Ukraine

Ukrainian theatres and other cultural infrastructure are currently under bombardment and heavy artillery fire from the Russian military.

Many of my Ukrainian colleagues are displaced, others have been forced to put down their paintbrushes and picked up weapons to defend themselves. This scenario is a nightmare.

As a critic and theatre artist with a 15-year history of performance and exchange with Ukrainian people and Ukraine, I naturally join others in deploring the destruction of cultural infrastructure and the threatening and sometimes killing of Ukrainian artists and people.

In my visits to Ukraine, I have only ever discovered people turning their backs on their militarised history, and struggling for a better future against great odds. This has particularly occurred through cultural development, which takes generations to develop - and is destroyed in days. Obviously, this destruction must end immediately.

Vale Ben Landau

I have received tragic news of the passing of performing artist and friend Ben Landau.

Ben was a generous collaborator, with whom I was in regular dialogue about issues of aesthetics and community, beginning with our time together at Queen's College in Melbourne when we were both students in the early 2000s. 

I will remember Ben for his openness and flexibility, as well as his imagination and curiosity.

I am greatly saddened by the passing of a great artist, friend to many, and member of the community.

Vale Ben Landau.