Calixto Bieito

Son of a Galician father and a mother from Seville, he was born in Miranda de Ebro and moved to Barcelona with his family at the age of 15, where he fell in love with the theatre. Now he lives in Switzerland because he is the Resident Artistic Director of the Theater Basel.

– Do you put any limits as stage director?

– No, there are no limits. There shouldn’t be any limits in the world of creation or art. However, there are some things that I would never do.

– For example?

– I don’t like manipulating people or shouting during rehearsals. I am a peaceful man and respectful of others. What else? Well, I wouldn’t use people who are not actors as a lure. I can give you a clear case of this: nowadays in Central Europe, showing real refugees on the stage has become fashionable. I wouldn’t do it. It raises doubts for me.

– But you have no problem with blowjobs, mutilations and autopsies recreated on the stage.  

 – I have an extremely rich palate of colours and landscapes. I have made productions in which there is nothing of what you are talking about. Don’t forget that my version of Britten’s ‘War Requiem’ is going to be performed at the Arriaga this season with the Bilbao Choral Society and the Bilbao Symphonic Orchestra. And there is nothing of this. I premiered it in Oslo and it was a hit. It is an extraordinary anti-war plea.

 – There are always exceptions that confirm the rule. You cannot deny that the most rotten and depraved scum features in many of your works.

 – I must insist: my interests are extremely varied. I also write poems and I love the female world. In fact, I can tell you that I am considering a production of ‘Three Women’ by Sylvia Plath. I won’t direct it but it fascinates me.

– Have you perhaps become more moderate over the years?

– No, It’s not that. We all evolve, of course, but I am referring to the amplitude of outlooks. I have always been somewhat curious. I hate being labelled. Sex and violence is not present in all of my works. However, I am coming to shake up Bilbao. (Extract from I. Urrutia’s interview of Calixto Bieito, the current artistic director at the Arriaga Theatre)