Future Conditional: Notes for tomorrow

by Gilly Adams (Editor), Geddy Aniksdal (Editor), Maggie Gale (Editor)

This new book from The Open Page Publications is an attempt to take a step into the future, by asking where we are going and what we will do when we get there. Contemplation of the future turned out to be a difficult theme, and many of the authors expressed this difficulty in their writing. Future Conditional - Notes for Tomorrow is an anthology of essays, poetry and articles by twenty-five women from four continents, all of whom are connected to The Magdalena Project. The common aim, expressed in individual ways, is to articulate the hopes and fears, demands and aspirations for the kind of future that we want to share with each other. The book is illustrated with paintings by Danish artist, Dorthe Kærgaard.

Paperback

Published October 1, 2017

Reviews

[Helen Varley · Rating 5 out of 5]

another rich anthology from The Open Page Publications, with 25 chapters from women theatre makers from around the world, accompanied by full colour illustrations by painter Dorthe Kærgard. The chapters include personal reflections, historical musings, poetry, and documentation of the women's work and thoughts for the future. The book follows on from "Legacy and Challenge", the anthology published in 2011 to mark the 25th anniversary of the Magdalena Project (international network of women in contemporary theatre and performance), and continues the established tradition of The Open Page, an annual journal of women's writing about theatre, published for 13 years. (More information about these publications can be found on https://themagdalenaproject.org/, if you are interested!).

as well as chapters from long-standing members of the Magdalena network, "Future Conditional" also includes several articles from the daughters of these members, now in their 20s and reflecting on how growing up within the Magdalena network has influenced their lives. These youthful voices are contrasted with those at later stages in their lives, reflecting on the past as a way to find meaning in the future. the concept of "walking backwards into the future" - versions of which can be found in many cultures around the world - is present in many of the chapters. Wisdom, humour and hope reverberate within the pages of this book.