Magdalena@25: Articulating the magdalena project-past, present and future

The Magdalena Project is an international network of women working in 'third theatre', a term coined by Eugenio Barba to denote theatre companies which operate outside of the mainstream cultural and fiscal economy of the theatre industries in their own countries. These companies are characterized by independence, experimentation and longevity. The project grew out of a number of such independent third theatre and group theatre companies and celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2011. Looking back over the twenty-five years, the predominant image of the Magdalena Project is one of multiple and widespread satellite events and activities. Conceived as a network since its beginnings in Wales, UK, in 1985, the project has grown beyond expectation. This article was generated through a conversational analysis of the challenge of articulating such a project as 'history'. The result is an article which weaves between two stories: the attempt to historicize the Magdalena Project and the historiographic issues raised by the necessity of documenting and composing such a history, in an inclusive and reflective manner. Written by a historian involved in the project from its early days, and by the project's founder, Jill Greenhalgh, the article, following an introductory section, takes the form of a conversation between the two.