Sydney Theatre and Sydney Theatre Company presents a Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord production

11 and 12

adapted from the work of Amadou Hampaté Bâ

by Marie Hélène Estienne
Directed by Peter Brook

“The story of 11 and 12 catches the breath of everyone who hears it. Especially as it is true.” Peter Brook

Based on the novel Life and Teaching of Tierno Bokar – The Sage of Bandigara by the great African writer Amadou Hampaté Bâ, 11 and 12 tells the extraordinary tale of a Sufi sage. Bokar, the humble yet remarkable man at the heart of the drama, becomes caught up in an epic struggle against hatred and violence incited by the colonial powers dominating his country.

A tiny disagreement over the meaning of the number eleven as opposed to the number twelve results in a chain of tragic events that eventually link a small African village to the highest political decisions of the Second World War.

Adapted by Marie-Helene Estienne, 11 and 12 features a multi-national company of actors and a creative team that includes Japanese composer Toshi Tsuchitori.

We are thrilled to welcome Peter Brook back to Sydney for the only Australian season of this new work.

1 Hour 30 Minutes, No Interval

Performed in English

Presented by arrangement with Arts Projects Australia
Co-produced by barbicanbite10, London; C.I.C.T. / Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord, Paris; Grotowski Institute, Wroclaw and presented in association with William Wilkinson for Millbrook Productions Limited

Photo: Pascal Victor/ Art Com Art