Eugenio Barba established the Odin Teatret on 1 October 1964 within an air raid shelter, after struggling to find professional opportunities as a director in Oslo. This initiative marked the start of a long-term artistic trajectory that would eventually relocate to the municipality of Holstebro, Denmark, defining a career centered on experimental performance, international collaboration, and rigorous theatre anthropology.
Early Development and Training
Born in Brindisi in 1936, Barba spent his youth in Gallipoli, Lecce Province. His formal education began at the Nunziatella military academy in Naples, which he departed in 1954. Following this, he relocated to work as both a sailor and a welder. He eventually pursued academic studies at the University of Oslo, focusing on French, Norwegian literature, and the history of religion.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →The Polish Influence
In 1961, Barba moved to Warsaw to study theatre direction at the State Theatre School. His training took a pivotal turn when he joined Jerzy Grotowski at the Teatr 13 Rzedow in Opole. This apprenticeship lasted three years, providing a foundation for his subsequent work. Later, a 1963 journey to India introduced him to Kathakali, a traditional performance form that influenced his written essays and theoretical approach to staging.
Establishment of Odin Teatret
After returning to Oslo, Barba collaborated with author Jens Bjørneboe to form the Odin Teatret. Their inaugural production, Ornitofilene, toured Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark. The troupe later secured an offer from the municipality of Holstebro, which provided them with a farm and funding. Over the course of four decades, Barba directed sixty-five productions, including Salt, Great Cities Under the Moon, Andersen's Dream, and Ur-Hamlet.
Scholarly Contributions and ISTA
Barba founded the International School of Theatre Anthropology in 1979 to study the technical principles of performers. His extensive writing includes The Paper Canoe and The Secret Art of the Performer, co-authored with Nicola Savarese. He maintains an active role in academia, serving on the advisory boards of journals such as The Drama Review and Performance Research, and he launched the Journal of Theatre Anthropology in 2021.
Fast facts
- Born: 29 October 1936, Brindisi
- Citizenship: Italy and Kingdom of Denmark
- Key Institution: Odin Teatret, Holstebro
- Mentor: Jerzy Grotowski
- Notable Award: Sonning Prize
- Notable Award: Kjeld Abell Prize (1980)
- Notable Award: Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
Questions readers ask
Where is the Odin Teatret based?
The theatre is located in Holstebro, Denmark.
What is the focus of Barba's research?
His work focuses on theatre anthropology, exploring the craft of the performer through practical and theoretical study.
Achievements
- Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
- Knight of the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity
- Worked as theatre director, writer and actor
.jpg)