Karnak and the Spirit of Performance

Abstract

This article is an abridged version of a doctoral thesis on the Australian actor, Diane Cilento and her relationship with the Fourth Way teachings of Gurdjieff principally inspired by her time studying at Sherborne School in the UK with J.G Bennett. While Cilento is most well known for her film and stage work and also being married to actor, Sean Connery, it is significant to note that she was amongst the initial intake of students when Bennett transformed Sherborne House into the International Academy for Continuous Education in 1971. During her mentorship under Bennett Cilento became immersed in the mystical branch of Islam called Sufism, influenced by such scholars as Hasan Shushud and Bulent Rauf with whom Cilento helped in the translation of thirteenth Century Andalusian saint, Muhyiddin Ibn ‘Arabi and would later collaborate with Bulent again on her BBC documentary on the Whirling Dervishes in Turkey, Turning. In the late 1970s Cilento returned to Australia where she introduced to a succession of students and spiritual seekers, via course work, at her North Queensland property, Karnak, Gurdjieff’s Fourth Way concepts infused with Sufism and Eastern philosophy, and rigorous physical work. In the process the enterprise created a self-sustainable organic farm. Later, with husband, playwright, Anthony Shaffer built the 400 seat Karnak Playhouse that opened in 1992 which Cilento ran as a performance venue until her death in 2011.