John Fox is best known as cofounder of Welfare State International, one of the most successful "alternative" performance and arts companies to emerge from the late 1960s. Whether one measures success by the level of funding awarded to the company, the quantity of the output, the longevity of the company, critical acclaim, or its impact in its field, Welfare State may arguably be regarded as one of the most exciting performance groups operating out of the mainstream since the 1960s. So deep is the association of Fox with Welfare State it is particularly difficult to discuss the work of Fox without discussing the work of the company. He has been responsible (often in collaboration) for the devising, sometimes the scripting, and usually the direction of a large number of performances and events, ranging from large-scale spectacular celebrations to personal rituals, from community celebrations to environmental installations. As well...