Performance as philosophy 

Margaret Cameron - poet, performer, director, dramaturg and pedagogue - influenced generations of artists through her ideas, performances, collaborations and teaching. I Shudder to Think is an elucidation of the artist’s unique performance practice and philosophy, bringing together Cameron’s essay on art and autotopography with four of her major solo works. Opera for a small mammal (2014) is published here for the first time, while Bang! a critical fiction (2001) and Knowledge and Melancholy (2001) have been revised and updated for this edition. the proscenium (2006) also appears here with its Spanish translation. At turns wise, humorous and exquisite, I Shudder to Think takes the reader on a journey deep into the praxis of one of Australia’s most creative and original voices. 

With a linguistic and intellectual richness that is rare on our stages, her performance was redolent with wit, sorrow and sensual passion. 

Alison Croggon, The Monthly 

Published in 2016 by Ladyfinger Press.