presented by State Theatre Company South Australia and ActNow Theatre.

“…as I doubt not you know, the understanding of mortals consisteth not only in having in memory things past and taking cognizance of things present. But in knowing, by means of the one and the other of these, to forecast things future is reputed by those of mark to consist the greatest wisdom. Tomorrow, as you know, it will be fifteen days since we departed Florence, to take some diversion for the preservation of our health and of our lives, eschewing the woes and dolors and miseries which, since this pestilential season began, are continually to be seen about our city. This, to my judgment, we have well and honourably done.”

— THE DECAMERON

So said one of Giovanni Boccaccio’s storytellers in the 14th century masterwork THE DECAMERON. A different kind of pestilence has beset our age, but the preservative power of story remains just as true for us. As does the hope that through story, told by many and varied voices, we reach closer towards wisdom. Wisdom about ourselves and our world.

Each week, 10 South Australian writers created 10 new characters and 10 new stories, which were then performed by 10 actors, recorded on film and digitally delivered over 10 weeks. 100 stories from an array of emerging and established writers, inspired by some of Boccaccio’s themes, presented in a modern and subverted context.

Many of these writers and actors had lost work due to cancelled theatre productions. We’re thrilled to have brought you this project with the support of the State Government’s COVID-19 Grant Support Program. In this project, these writers and actors activated and unleashed their imaginations and talents upon you, offering a new twist on South Australian life, as they catalogued our first steps out of the isolation of recent months and towards new wisdoms.

Artists Involved

With artistic staff from ActNow and State Theatre Company South Australia, the writers of DECAMERON 2.0 meet online each week to discuss a nominated theme and then work that day to write a short monologue or free-form piece that will be rehearsed by a director and actor. ActNow Theatre also be engaging with our community workshop groups such as Theatre of the Global Majority and Queer Youth Theatre Workshops.