We had flown to Tehran and motored for two days across the vast country of Iran to arrive just in time for the royal opening of the Arts Festival in Persepolis, featuring the Kathakali Dance Theatre of India. The following day was hot and I was already tired, but I was there to see the Festival, and the next event was Robert Wilson's Overture to KA MOUNTAIN and CUARDenia Terrace, performed by the Byrd Hoffman School of Byrds. My host in Iran had told me a great deal about the importance of Robert Wilson's work in the theatre. He said it was “significant,” “avantgarde,” and “new.” But I was not impressed. I had never heard of Robert Wilson.

I have spent some 45 years in the theatre as an actor and a director, and I like to think that I have not only seen everything that is new in the theatre, but I have also done what is new.