When Willem Dafoe took over the creative helm of the Venice theatre biennale, he brought a fresh perspective and a passion for the avant-garde. His selection of experimental theatre companies and his own performances have shaped the programme into a broad and outward-looking celebration of cultural diversity. This year's edition, titled 'Alter Native', is a testament to Dafoe's vision, offering a fusion of theatrical traditions from Europe to Indonesia and India. The programme is not just about the shows; it's about giving voice to the marginalised and centring lesser-heard stories. Emma Dante, a celebrated Sicilian playwright, receives the Golden Lion for lifetime achievement, while Davide Iodice's 'Promemoria' takes audiences inside a care home for the elderly in Venice, offering a poignant and immersive experience. The biennale also features 'Cries' by Christos Stergioglou and Alex Drakos Ktistakis, which distils the voices of migrants and those enslaved or displaced across time. Satoshi Miyagi's 'Mugen Noh Othello' gives voice to a marginalised Shakespearean character, while Dorcy Rugamba's 'Letter to the Absent' is an adaptation of his book 'Hewa Rwanda', dedicated to his family who died in the Rwandan genocide. Beyond the official lineup, a six-hour durational production of Samuel Beckett's 'How It Is' offers an immersive and oral experience. Dafoe's tenure as artistic director has been a success, and the question now is whether he will continue to lead the biennale into the future.
