Complicité


Complicité is a British theatre company founded in 1983 by Simon McBurney, Annabel Arden, and Marcello Magni. Its original name was Théâtre de Complicité. The company is based in London and uses extreme movement to represent their work, with surrealist imagery. Its work has been influenced by Jacques Lecoq. The company produced their first performance in 1983. In 1985 they won the Perrier Comedy Award at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Their productions often involve technology such as projection and cameras, and cover serious themes.
The company's lineup changes frequently, though McBurney continues to be the artistic director. Complicite is currently more active as an international touring company than within the United Kingdom. The Company is currently led from their base in London by producer, Judith Dimant.
Major productions include The Master and Margarita, A Dog's Heart with De Nederlandse Opera and English National Opera, Endgame, Shun-kin, A Disappearing Number, Measure for Measure, The Elephant Vanishes , The Noise of Time ; Mnemonic ; and The Street of Crocodiles .
The Master and Margarita, an adaptation of Mikhail Bulgakov’s novel, sold out its run at The Barbican, London in March/April 2012 and tours Europe in 2012. In 2010 A Disappearing Number which played at the Novello Theatre, Barbican Theatre and Theatre Royal, Plymouth, is a play about the mathematicians Ramanujan and G. H. Hardy, the study of pure mathematics, the concepts of infinity and string theory. It focuses on our "relentless compulsion to understand". The music was written by Nitin Sawhney and the dramaturge was Ben Power. The play won many awards, including the Laurence Olivier Award 2008 for Best New Play. It was produced at the Lincoln Center Festival in New York City in 2010 and toured to Mumbai and Hyderabad. In 2010 it was broadcast to over 300 cinema screens worldwide as part of NT Live.
Shun-kin, performed in Japanese, was adapted from Junichiro Tanizaki. It was first performed in Tokyo and then toured to London. It was revived in Tokyo in March 2009 and in London, Paris, Tokyo and Taipei in 2010.
They describe the main principles of their work as "seeing what is most alive, integrating text, music, image and action to create surprising, disruptive theatre".

Funding

Other than revenue from ticket sales, Complicité receives funding from two sources: Arts Council England and private donations.
"Complicité creates inspirational physical-based theatre, which it tours both nationally and internationally to world-class venues and partners. The company also provides a programme of professional workshops and educational initiatives. Our funding supports core costs." Complicité received £370,021 in 2008/2009, £380,012 in 2009/2010 and £390,272 in 2010/2011 from the Council.

Productions index

YearProductionDirectorWriter/ AdapterDesignCastAwards-
1983Put it on Your Head"The Company""The Company"-Annabel Arden, Fiona Gordon, Marcello Magni, Simon McBurney-
1984A Minute too LateSimon McBurneyJozef Houben, Simon McBurney, and Marcello Magni, with Annabel ArdenJozef Houben, Simon McBurney and Marcello Magni-
1985More Bigger Snacks NowNeil Bartlett"The Company"-Tim Barlow, Jos Houben, Marcello Magni, Simon McBurney1985 Perrier Award, 1986 Time Out Fringe Award for Best Touring Production-
1986FoodstuffSimon McBurney"The Company"Lucy Weller, Dougie Laing, Laura McLoughlinMario Aguerre, Annabel Arden, David Backler, Tim Barlow, Michael Barnfather, Ian Cooke, Coralene Chambers, Suzanne Dawson, Gay Gaynor, Gerard Flanagan, Marc Fremond, Celia Gore Booth, Phil Gunderson, Jozef Houben, Casper Hummel, Marcello Magni, Graziella Martinez, Hamish McColl, Pat Mitchell, Deobi Oparei, Linda Kerr Scott, Susan Todd, Micheline Vandepoel, Sue Westergaard-
1986Please, Please, PleaseAnnabel Arden"The Company"Lucy WellerMick Barnfather, Celia Gore Booth, Linda Kerr Scott, Marcello Magni, Simon McBurney-
1987Anything For A Quiet LifeSimon McBurney"The Company"Design: Jan Pienkowski Lighting, John ListrumAnnabel Arden, Celia Gore Booth, Kathryn Hunter, Marcello Magni, Myra McFadyen, Stefan Metz, Boris Ostan-
1989The Lamentations of ThelAnnabel ArdenDimitri SmirnovWillow WinstonJane W Davidson, Lore Lixemberg-
1989Anything For A Quiet Life Simon McBurney"The Company"Jan PienkowskiAnnabel Arden, Celia Gore Booth, Kathryn Hunter, Marcello Magni, Myra McFadyen, Stefan Metz, Boris OstanAdapted For Television for Channel 4
1989The VisitAnnabel Arden and Simon McBurneyadapted by Maurice Valency after Friedrich DürrenmattDesign: Rae Smith, Lighting: Luke Sapsed, Sound: Nic Jones, Christopher ShuttMick Barnfather, Lilo Baur, Celia Gore Booth, Jasper Britton, Richard Hope, Kathryn Hunter, Simon McBurney, Marcello Magni, Eric Mallet, Julianne Mason, Clive Mendus1990- Laurence Olivier Award, Best Actress, Kathryn Hunter. 1989 Time Out Theatre Award for Best Director, Annabel Arden-
1990Help! I'm AliveJozef Houben and Marcello Magni"The Company", after RuzzanteMarcello Magni, Kathryn Hunter, Clive Mendus, Lilo Baur, Toby Sedgwick-
1991The Visit Annabel Arden and Simon McBurneyadapted by Maurice Valency after Friedrich DürrenmattDesign: Rae Smith, Lighting: Luke Sapsed, Sound: Nic Jones, Christopher ShuttMick Barnfather, Lilo Baur, Celia Gore Booth, Jasper Britton, Richard Hope, Kathryn Hunter, Simon McBurney, Marcello Magni, Eric Mallet, Julianne Mason, Clive Mendus-
1992The Winter's TaleAnnabel Arden with Annie CastledineWilliam ShakespeareDesign: Ariane Gastambide, Lighting: Ben Ormerod, Sound: Christopher ShuttLilo Baur, Kathryn Hunter, Mark Lewis Jones, Simon McBurney, Dhobi Oparei, Vicki Pepperdine, Gabrielle Reidy, Leo Wringer, Marcello Magni-
1992-3The Street of CrocodilesSimon McBurneyAdapted by Simon McBurney and Mark Wheatley from Bruno SchulzDesign: Rae Smith, Lighting: Paule Constable, Sound: Christopher ShuttAnnabel Arden, Lilo Baur, Hayley Carmichael, Antonio Gil Martinez, Joyce Henderson, Eric Mallet, Clive Mendus, Cesar Sarachu, Matthew Scurfield1994 Dublin Theatre Festival Award for Best Touring Production, 1994 L'Academie Quebecoisedu Theatre Award for Best Foreign Production 1993 Manchester Evening Standard Award for Best Visiting Production, 1993 Barcelona Critics Award for Best Foreign Production-
1994-5Out of a house walked a man...Simon McBurneyAn adaptation by Jos Houben, Simon McBurney and Mark Wheatley from the writings of Daniil Kharms, Original score composed by Gerard McBurneyDesign: Tim Hatley, Lighting: Paule Constable, Sound: Christopher ShuttSophie Grimmer, Paul Hamilton, Jos Houben, Kathryn Hunter, Toby Jones, Lore Lixenburg, Marcello Magni, Myra McFadyen, Charlotte Medcalf, Toby Sedgwick, Brian Shelley, Edward Woodall-
1994-97The Three Lives of Lucie CabrolSimon McBurneySimon McBurney & Mark WheatleyDesign: Tim Hatley, Lighting: Paule Constable, Sound: Christopher ShuttLilo Baur, Mick Barnfather, Hannes Flaschberger, Simon McBurney, Tim McMullan, Stefan Metz, Hélène Patarôt1997Toronto DORA Award Best Production of a Play, 1997 Toronto CORA Award Best Actress, 1996 Belgrade International Festival Grand Prix, 1996 Best Performance of the Belgrade International Festival voted by the audience, 1996 Belgrade Daily Newspaper Politika Prize for Best Director, 1995 The Age Newspaper Critic's Award for Creative Excellence at the Melbourne International Festival, 1995 Barcelona Critic's Award for Best Foreign Production, 1994 Manchester Evening News Award for Best Actress in a Visiting Production, 1994 Time Out Theatre Award, 1994 TMA/Martini Award for Best UK Touring Production-
1996FoeAnnie Castledine and Marcello MagniAdapted by Mark Wheatley from the novel by J. M. CoetzeePeter MumfordSelma Alispahic, Hannes Flaschberger, Kathryn Hunter, Marcello Magni, Patrice Naiambara, Rob Pickavance-
1997The Caucasian Chalk CircleSimon McBurneyBertolt Brecht Translated by Frank McGuinnessDesign: Tim Hatley, Lighting: Paule Constable, Sound: Christopher Shutt, Projection: Kate Slater JonesSelma Alispahic, Clive Bell, Peter Collins, Bronagh Gallagher, Kulvinder Ghir, Antonio Gil Martinez, Faroque Khan, Jeffrey Kissoon, Simon McBurney, Tim McMullan, Clive Mendus, Maggie O'Brien, Michael Ormiston, Hélène Patarôt, Robert Patterson, Nicholas Robinson, Edward Savage, Juliet Stevenson, Joe Townsend1998 Laurence Olivier Award Simon McBurney, 1998 Liverpool Echo Best Actor Award Simon McBurney-
1997-98The ChairsSimon McBurneyEugène Ionesco in a new translation by Martin CrimpDesign: Quay Brothers, Lighting: Paul Anderson, Sound: Paul ArdittiMick Barnfather, Sarah Baxter, Richard Briers, Geraldine McEwan1998 Six Tony Nominations and six Drama Desk Nominations, 1998 Drama Desk Award for Best Design, 1998 Laurence Olivier Award Nomination for Lighting Design, 1998 Time Out Live Award, 1998 Barclays/TMA Theatre Award for Best Actress -
1997To The WeddingSimon McBurneyFor Radio- Based on the novel by John Berger, adapted by Simon McBurney, John Berger and Mark Wheatley-Lilo Baur, Kathryn Hunter, Simon McBurney, Katrin Cartlidge, Marcello Magni, Richard Hope, Tim McMullan, Sandro Mabellini, Hannes Flaschberger, Annabel Arden, Velibor Topic, Mick Barnfather, Susan Henry, Michael Mears
1994-97The Three Lives of Lucie Cabrol Simon McBurneySimon McBurney & Mark WheatleyDesign: Tim Hatley, Lighting: Paule Constable, Sound: Christopher ShuttLilo Baur, Mick Barnfather, Hannes Flaschberger, Simon McBurney, Tim McMullan, Stefan Metz, Hélène Patarôt-
1998-99The Street of Crocodiles Simon McBurneyAdapted by Simon McBurney and Mark Wheatley from Bruno SchulzDesign: Rae Smith, Lighting: Paule Constable, Sound: Christopher ShuttAnnabel Arden, Bronagh Gallagher, Gregory Gudgeon, Marcello Magni, Eric Mallett, Antonio Gil Martinez, Charlotte Medcalf, Clive Mendus, Stefan Metz, Cesar Sarachu, Matthew Scurfield, Ásta Sighvats-
1999The Vertical LineSimon McBurney and John BergerSimon McBurney and John Berger--
1999-01MnemonicSimon McBurney"The Company"Design: Michael Levine, Lighting: Paul Anderson, Sound: Christopher Shutt, Costume: Christina CunninghamKatrin Cartlidge, Richard Katz, Simon McBurney, Tim McMullan, Stefan Metz, Kostas Philippoglou, Catherine Schaub Abkarian, Daniel Wahl2002, Golden Mask Critics' Award, Festival Mess, Sarajevo, 2001 Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience, 2001 Drama Desk Award for Best Lighting Design, 2001 Drama Desk Award for Best Sound Design, 2001 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Achievement off Broadway for Unique Theatrical Experience, for Best Sound Design and for Best Lighting Design, 2001 Syndicat Professionnel de la Critique Dramatique et Musicale, Grand Prix de la Critique for Best Foreign Play, 2001 Time Out Live Award for Outstanding Achievement, 1999 The Critic's Circle Award for Best, New Play-
2000LightSimon McBurneyBased on the book by Torgny Lindgren, adapted by Simon McBurney and Matthew BroughtonDesign: Dick Bird, Lighting: Paul Anderson, Sound: Paul Arditti, Costume: Christina CunninghamJoseph Alessi, Mick Barnfather, Lilo Baur, Bronagh Gallagher, Dermot Kerrigan, Tim McMullan, Tobias Menzies, Toby Sedgwick-
2000-02The Noise of TimeSimon McBurney"The Company"Design: Joanna Parker, Lighting: Paul Anderson, Sound: Christopher Shutt with Gareth Fry, Costume: Christina CunnighamTim McMullan, Antonio Gil Martinez, Charlotte Medcalf, Richard Katz, Toby Sedgwick, Jan Knightley-
2002The Resistible Rise of Arturo UiSimon McBurneyBertolt BrechtRobert Innes HopkinsAl Pacino, Steve Buscemi, Dominic Chianese, Billy Crudup, Charles Durning, Paul Giamatti, John Goodman, Chazz Palminteri, Tony Randall, Linda Emondk-
2002-03Mnemonic Simon McBurney"The Company"Design: Michael Levine, Lighting: Paul Anderson, Sound: Christopher Shutt, Costume: Christina CunninghamDan Fredenburgh, Susan Lynch, Simon McBurney, Tim McMullan, Stefan Metz, Kostas Philippoglou, Aurelia Petit-
2003The Elephant VanishesSimon McBurney"The Company" based on the book by Haruki MurakamiDesign: Michael Levine, Lighting: Paul Anderson, Sound: Christopher Shutt, Costume: Christina Cunningham, Projection: Ruppert Bohle and Anne O'ConnorMitsuru Fukikoshi, Yuko Miyamoto, Masato Sakai, Ryoko Tateishi, Keitoku Takada, Atsuko Takaizumi2004 Kinokuniya Theatre Award for Best Actress, 2003 Evening Standard Theatre Award Nomination for Best Director -
2004Strange PoetrySimon McBurney, Music by Gerard McBurneyMusic by Gerard McBurneySound: Christopher Shutt and Gareth Fry, Lighting: Paul Anderson, Costume: Christina Cunningham, Projection and Video: Francis LaporteAntonio Gil Martinez, John Flax, Tamzin Griffin, Sophie Grimmer, Richard Katz, Simon McBurney, Yasuyo Mochizuki, Robert Tannion, Tom Ward and The London Philharmonic Orchestra-
2004Measure for MeasureSimon McBurneyWilliam ShakespeareDesign: Tom Pye, Lighting: Paul Anderson, Sound: Christopher Shutt, Costume: Christina Cunningham, Projection: Sven OrtelSimon McBurney, Mike Grady, Angus Wright, Ajay Naidu, Clive Mendus, Tamzin Griffin, Richard Katz, Ben Meyjes, Craig Parkinson, Steven Crossley, Naomi Frederick, Katie Jones, Kostas Philippoglou, Jamie Bradley, Anamaria Marinca and Hannes Flaschberger2005 The Ian Charleson Award second place, 2004 Critics' Circle Award for Best Performance in a Shakespearean Role -
2004The Elephant Vanishes Simon McBurney"The Company" based on the book by Haruki MurakamiDesign: Michael Levine, Lighting: Paul Anderson, Sound: Christopher Shutt, Costume: Christina Cunningham, Projection: Ruppert Bohle and Anne O'ConnorMitsuru Fukikoshi, Yuko Miyamoto, Yasuyo Mochizuki, Keitoku Takada, Atsuko Takaizumi, Ryoko Tateish, Kentaro Mizuki-
2004Pet Shop Boys meet EisensteinSimon McBurneyOriginal Score by the Pet Shop BoysArt Direction: Simon McBurney, Projection: Sven OrtelThe Pet Shop Boys, Dresdner Sinfoniker, Simon McBurney, Tim McMullen, Charlotte Medcalf-
2005A Minute Too Late Simon McBurneyJozef Houben, Simon McBurney, and Marcello Magni, with Annabel ArdenDesign: Tom Pye with James Humphrey, Lighting: Paul Anderson, Sound: Christopher Shutt, Costume: Christina Cunningham, Projection: Sven OrtelJos Houben, Marcello Magni, Simon McBurney-
2005The Noise of Time Simon McBurney"The Company"Design: Joanna Parker, Lighting: Paul Anderson, Sound: Christopher Shutt with Gareth Fry, Costume: Christina CunnighamGeir Hytten, Liam Steel, Tom Ward, Ewan Wardrop-
2005Vanishing PointsSimon McBurneyJohn Berger and Anne MichaelsSound: Neil Alexander with Gareth Fry, Projection and Video: Sven Ortel and Lorna HeaveyJohn Berger, Susan Lynch, Meredith MacNeil, Simon McBurney, Clive Mendus, Anne Michaels, Paul Rhys, Juliet Stevenson-
2005-06Measure for Measure Simon McBurneyWilliam ShakespeareDesign: Tom Pye, Lighting: Paul Anderson, Sound: Christopher Shutt, Costume: Christina Cunningham, Projection: Sven OrtelMike Grady, Angus Wright, Ajay Naidu, Clive Mendus, Tamzin Griffin, Richard Katz, Ben Meyjes, Craig Parkinson, Steven Crossley, Naomi Frederick, Kostas Philippoglou, Jamie Bradley, Katie Jones, Anamaria Marinca, Johannes Flaschberger--
2008A Disappearing NumberSimon McBurney"The Company'"Design: Michael Levine, Lighting: Paul Anderson, Sound: Christopher Shutt, Costume: Christina Cunningham, Projection: Sven OrtelDavid Annen, Firdous Bamji, Paul Bhattacharjee, Hiren Chate, Divya Kasturi, Chetna Pandya, Saskia Reeves and Shane Shambhu2008 Best New Play - The Laurence Olivier Awards, 2007 Best Play - Evening Standard Awards, 2007 Best New Play - The Critics' Circle Theatre Awards-
2008Shun-kin 春琴Simon McBurneyBased on the writings of Jun'ichiro Tanizaki, Script Edited by Jo AllanDesign: Merle Hensel and Rumi Matsui Lighting: Paul Anderson, Sound: Gareth Fry, Costume: Christina Cunningham, Projection: Finn RossKaho Aso, Songha Cho, Eri Fukatsu, Honjoh Hidetaro, Kentaro Mizuki, Yasuyo Mochizuki, Yuko Miyamoto, Keitoku Takada, Ryoko Tateishi, Yoshi Oida2009 Yomiuri Theatre Awards Grand Prize Award for Best Director, Nominated for Best Play and Best Female Actor -
2008A Disappearing Number Simon McBurney"The Company"Design: Michael Levine, Lighting: Paul Anderson, Sound: Christopher Shutt, Costume: Christina Cunningham, Projection: Sven OrtelDavid Annen, Firdous Bamji, Paul Bhattacharjee, Hiren Chate, Divya Kasturi, Chetna Pandya, Saskia Reeves and Shane Shambhu-
2009Shun-kin 春琴 Simon McBurneyBased on the writings of Jun'ichiro Tanizaki, Script Edited by Jo AllanDesign: Merle Hensel and Rumi Matsui Lighting: Paul Anderson, Sound: Gareth Fry, Costume: Christina Cunningham, Projection: Finn RossKaho Aso, Songha Cho, Eri Fukatsu, Honjoh Hidetaro, Kentaro Mizuki, Yasuyo Mochizuki, Nigoshichi Shimouma, Keitoku Takada, Ryoko Tateishi, Junko Uchida. Puppetry by Blind Summit2009 Yomiuri Theatre Awards Grand Prize Award for Best Director, Nominated for Best Play and Best Female Actor -
2009EndgameSimon McBurneySamuel BeckettDesign: Tim Hatley, Lighting: Paul Anderson, Sound: Gareth Fry, Costume: Christina CunninghamSimon McBurney, Miriam Margolyes, Tom Hickey, Mark Rylance2009 What's on Stage Awards, Best Supporting Actress in a Play -
2010A Disappearing Number Simon McBurney"The Company"Design: Michael Levine, Lighting: Paul Anderson, Sound: Christopher Shutt, Costume: Christina Cunningham, Projection: Sven OrtelFirdous Bamji, Saskia Reeves, Paul Bhattacharjee, Hiren Chate, Shane Shambhu, Divya Kasturi, Chetna Pandya, David Annen-
2010Shun-kin 春琴 Simon McBurneyBased on the writings of Jun'ichiro Tanizaki, Script Edited by Jo AllanDesign: Merle Hensel and Rumi Matsui Lighting: Paul Anderson, Sound: Gareth Fry, Costume: Christina Cunningham, Projection: Finn RossKaho Aso, Songha Cho, Eri Fukatsu, Honjoh Hidetaro, Kentaro Mizuki, Yasuyo Mochizuki, Yoshi Oida, Keitoku Takada, Ryoko Tateishi, Junko Uchida. Puppetry by Blind Summit-
2010A Dog's HeartSimon McBurneyLibretto by Cesare Mazzonis after the novel by Mikhail BulgakovDesign: Michael Levine, Lighting: Paul Anderson, Costume: Christina Cunningham, Projection: Finn RossProduced with De Nederlandse Opera and ENO. Puppetry by Blind Summit2010 Nominated, Best New Opera Production - The Laurence Olivier Awards-
2011The Master and MargaritaSimon McBurneyBased on the novel by Mikhail Bulgakov, text by Simon McBurney, the company and Edward KempSet Design: Es Devlin, Lighting: Paul Anderson, Sound: Gareth Fry, Costume: Christina Cunningham, Video Design: Finn Ross, 3D Animation Luke Halls, Puppetry Blind Summit TheatreDavid Annen, Thomas Arnold, Josie Daxter, Johannes Flaschberger, Tamzin Griffin, Amanda Hadingue, Richard Katz, Sinéad Matthews, Clive Mendus, Yasuyo Mochizuki, Tim McMullan, Ajay Naidu, Henry Pettigrew, Paul Rhys, Cesar Sarachu, Angus Wright-
2012Die ZauberflöteSimon McBurneyMozartSet Design: Michael Levine, Lighting: Jean Kalman, Sound: Gareth Fry, Costume: Nicky Gilibrand, Video: Finn RossProduced with De Nederlandse Opera and ENO.-
2013LionboyAnnabel ArdenFrom the novels by Zizou Corder, adapted by Marcelo Dos Santos with the companyAdetomiwa Edun, Victoria Gould, Rob Gilbert, Lisa Kerr, Femi Elufowoju Jr, Dan Milne, Clive Mendus, Stephen Hiscock-
2015The EncounterSimon McBurneyInspired by the book 'Amazon Beaming' by Petru PopescuDirected and performed by Simon McBurney, Co-director: Kirsty Housley, Design: Michael Levine, Sound: Gareth Fry with Pete Malkin, Lighting: Paul Anderson, Projection: Will Duke, Associate director: Jemima JamesSimon McBurney-
2016A Pacifist's Guide to the War on CancerBryony KimmingsA new musical about cancer.Book: Bryony Kimmings and Brian Lobel, Music: Tom Parkinson, Lyrics: Bryony Kimmings, Direction: Bryony Kimmings, Set: Lucy Osborne, Costume: Christina Cunningham, Choreography: Lizzi Gee, Music Director: Marc Tritschler, Lighting: Paul Anderson, Sound: Lewis Gibson, Assistant Director: Debbie HannanCompany: Naana Agyei-Ampadu, Amy Booth-Steel, Jenny Fitzpatrick, Hal Fowler, Amanda Hadingue, Francesca Mills, Golda Rosheuvel, Max Runham, Rose Shalloo, Gareth Snook, Lottie Vallis, Gary Wood, Band: Oroh Angiama, Jon Gingell, Phil Gould, Marc Tritschler, Elizabeth Westcott-
2017The Kid Stays in the PictureSimon McBurney & James Yeatman"The Company"Anna FleischleThomas Arnold, Heather Burns, Christian Camargo, Max Casella, Clint Dyer, Danny Huston, Ajay Naidu, Madeleine Potter-