Theatre is about the collective imagination... Everything I use on-stage is driven by the subject matter and what you might call the text - but that text can be anything, from a fragment of movement or music to something you see on a TV.

The quote "Theatre is about the collective imagination... Everything I use on-stage is driven by the subject matter and what you might call the text - but that text can be anything, from a fragment of movement or music to something you see on a TV" by Simon McBurney reflects his view of theatre as an art form driven by imagination and creativity. McBurney, a renowned theatre director and the founder of Complicité, emphasizes that theatre is not limited to traditional scripts or dialogue. Instead, the subject matter and the text — which can include anything from physical movement, music, or even visual elements like something seen on TV — all contribute to the collective creative experience shared between the performers and the audience.

McBurney’s perspective challenges the traditional notion of theatre being solely about spoken dialogue. By including various forms of expression, such as movement and music, as part of the "text," he broadens the scope of what can be considered theatre. This approach allows for a more dynamic, immersive experience where the audience is invited to engage with the performance on multiple sensory levels, rather than just through the words spoken on stage.

The phrase "theatre is about the collective imagination" highlights the collaborative nature of the art form. In theatre, both the performers and the audience contribute to the creation of meaning and emotion, with the imagination acting as a bridge between the two. McBurney underscores that the power of theatre lies in its ability to ignite the imagination of everyone involved, creating a shared experience that is both transformative and interactive.

Ultimately, McBurney’s quote invites us to rethink the boundaries of theatre and its potential to incorporate various forms of expression beyond traditional spoken text. By embracing a wide array of stimuli and forms of communication, he suggests that theatre can evolve into a more inclusive and dynamic art form that resonates deeply with the collective imagination of the audience and performers alike.