Welfare State International
| Company type | Theatre ensemble |
|---|---|
| Industry | Theatre, Performing arts |
| Founded | 1968 |
| Founder | John Fox, Sue Gill, Roger Coleman |
| Defunct | 2006-04-01 |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
Area served | United Kingdom |
Key people | John Fox, Sue Gill, Roger Coleman |
| Products | Outdoor spectacles, street theatre performances |
| Website | www |
Welfare State International was a UK-based experimental theatre ensemble established in 1968 by John Fox, Sue Gill, Roger Coleman, among others. From its inception until 2006, it functioned as "a collective of progressive artists and intellectuals dedicated to exploring celebratory art and spectacle."
Background
Initially known as 'The Welfare State,' the group’s mission was to make art universally accessible, comparable to fundamental public services like education and healthcare.
Welfare State International became renowned for its grand outdoor spectacles, innovating street theatre during a period when performances were typically restricted to conventional theatre spaces.
In November 2001, the Guardian Guide described it as "Britain's leading arts and installations collective." Its 1983 presentation The Raising of the Titanic (held at Limehouse Basin, London) is recognized among the productions that significantly reshaped theatrical practice.
The company concluded its activities on April 1, 2006, following a performance in Ulverston.
Dead Good Guides
Founders Sue Gill and John Fox transitioned their creative efforts into 'Dead Good Guides,' an artist-driven initiative focused on embedding art more profoundly within everyday experience. They have authored publications centered on inventive, artist-led ceremonies and rituals. Additionally, Sue Gill and Gilly Adams facilitate Rites of Passage workshops and retreats, preparing artists to serve as celebrants.
Related Publications
- Engineers of the Imagination (1983, 1990), edited by Tony Coult and Baz Kershaw
- The Dead Good Funeral Books (1996), authored by Sue Gill and John Fox
- The Dead Good Book of Namings and Baby Welcoming Ceremonies (1999), edited by Jonathan Howe with Sue Gill and John Fox
- In All My Born Days (2021), written by Sue Gill