Guest Blog: Amit Lahav On MISSING Returning To Battersea Arts Centre

Fifteen years ago, Gecko began its journey at Battersea Arts Centre (BAC) with its first show Taylor's Dummies. We were outrageously ambitious, and pushed the building and staff hard to create something unique.

At the time, I probably didn't appreciate just how up for it everyone at the venue was, and how willing they were to match us step by step (surely everyone loves making theatre as much as I do!?). It's only after many years that you realise not every building you enter has that appetite and courage.

Taylor's Dummies had two sell-out runs at BAC, and we then embarked on the adventures of show number two: The Race, which involved completely reconfiguring the main house. BAC was the perfect nest and playground for Gecko's early years - a safe and supportive place in which we could turn our ambitious dreams into reality.

It has been meaningful and important to have sustained this relationship with BAC over the years, and in 2015 we collaborated on the development of a new piece of work as part of Live From Television Centre - an evening curated and commissioned by BBC Arts and BAC - for which we created a brand new 30-minute film entitled The Time of Your Life.

The programme gave us the chance to showcase our work live on BBC4 - all filmed at the iconic television centre building in White City before it was demolished. Once again, we were supported throughout this wonderful and unknown process by BAC, allowing us to break new ground and create something exciting.

It seems that you only really find out how resilient and meaningful your relationships are when you're in trouble or in great need.

In March 2015, we were performing Missing (our fifth touring production) at BAC, when a devastating fire broke out - completely destroying both the Grand Hall and the show.

We then had the enormous task of rebuilding the show within three weeks so the set could be shipped to Mexico in time for a three-week tour. No mean feat!

All those years of kinship and graft between Gecko and BAC really meant something in the aftermath of the fire. It was clear we were not going to suffer.

I have never felt so much love and affection for Gecko as in the days that followed the fire - from colleagues, venues and arts companies around the country and around the world. Hundreds of people donated to the Kickstarter campaign to support the rebuilding of the show.

Each and every one of those people's names have been lovingly handwritten by members of the team on to the back of the new set - a reminder every time we perform the show, which is still touring across the world, of the love and support we received. Looking back, it was strangely one of the most uplifting and affirming experiences of my life.

We're delighted to be returning to the Grand Hall this September, to open the Phoenix Season and to finish the run of Missing that we started three years ago. BAC has played a pivotal role in Gecko's voyage across the past 15 years, and I am very proud to have been a part of its legendary gift to art-makers all over the country.

Missing at Battersea Arts Centre 6-15 September

Amit Lahav is Gecko's Artistic Director and the creator of Missing

Photo credit: Morley von Sternberg

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