Sheila Burnett reissues Offstage: The Pip Simmons Theatre Group ‘Life on the Road’ 1974-1986. Reissued to coincide with the second Anniversary of Pip Simmons’ death on Jan 24 2024. Theatre Photographer Sheila Burnett’s Offstage: The Pip Simmons Theatre Group is a snapshot of avant-garde theatre in the 1970s and 80s. Out now on Amazon.
Offstage is a photographic record featuring over 200 black and white photographs. Amongst the shows are their 90-minute rock version of The Tempest, an adaptation of Dostoyevsky’s The Dream of a Ridiculous Man, and An Die Musik, described by Michael Coveney in Pip Simmons’ Guardian obituary as “one of the finest avant-garde productions of my lifetime, a gruesome, overwhelming masterpiece”
Pip Simmons theatre group were at the forefront of the experimental theatre movement of the 70s. His theatre was known to be confrontational, blasphemous and explosive, featuring loud rock music and nudity. Founded in 1968, they toured Europe extensively where funding support was more accessible than in the UK. In UK, he played at venues including the Royal Court, The Citizens’, Oval House, Riverside Studios & The I.C.A
Sheila Burnett said, “I studied at art school and always carried a compact camera. When I joined the Pip Simmons Theatre Group in 1974, I continued taking photos as I always had, but this time on the hoof, taking photos of the company as we travelled. 30 years later by then a pro photographer, curiosity compelled me to find & digitise these worn torn negs, which was a profound and moving experience”
20 years later, in 2024, the company’s 50th Anniversary, the same year Pip Simmons sadly died, and with him died a crazy, visionary, one-of-a-kind wonderful man. I mentioned to Pip I would like to do a book, he said, “Remember the good times and laugh, and be sad for those who are gone” in memory of Pip Simmons, I am re-launching Offstage in 2026 on the second Anniversary of his death, Jan 24 2024.
“OFFSTAGE” is now out on Amazon.
A beautifully printed Hard Back 300 pages and 200 photos £25.00 + UK or International tracked postage.
sheila@sheilaburnett.com Published: @tricornbooks Featured: The Guardian