By Kate Lockyer
From a transgender retelling of Pinocchio to a post-apocalyptic theatre work, to fun for the whole family with an 80s street party, this year’s Brisbane Festival is packed with a diversity of themes.
Village Voice had a chat with Brisbane Festival Artistic Director Louise Bezzina to explore the ideas behind some of the productions happening in our local area.
Louise said providing something for everyone but at the same time expanding horizons with ambitious programming is “the ultimate challenge of putting the festival together”.
“We’re really showcasing the best of Brisbane in this September period… so the whole city feels like it is revved up for something really amazing.”
The Making of Pinocchio
At the Brisbane Powerhouse, see a true tale of love and transition told through the story of Pinocchio by artists and lovers Rosana Cade and Ivor MacAskill, who created the show in response to Ivor’s gender transition.
Louise said when she saw the show, “I really felt like it was so beautifully put together, and such an innovative piece of theatre, that audiences will find it very special”.
“I encourage theatre lovers to go see it, because it is a really enlightening, generous and warm way of talking about gender transition, not only from the person who is transitioning but from the partner’s perspective as well.”
Salamander
Responding to the global climate challenge, Salamander is a collaboration between UK choreographer and director Maxine Doyle and British artist Es Devlin, performed by Brisbane’s Australasian Dance Company.
Louise said the festival aims to captivate people and transcend the everyday, especially with events such as Salamander, which can often only happen within the context of a festival because of their scale and ambition.
Louise recognised of the best things about the festival is not only the opportunity to see international artists and showcase our Brisbane talent, but also for local creatives to collaborate and build connections with more significant artists.
Rainbow Serpent (version)
Rainbow Serpent (version) is another example of a brilliant local-international collaboration: an artwork by Daniel Boyd in partnership with a Berlin museum to be presented alongside another piece by Digi Youth Arts responding to the work.
“Daniel Boyd is quite a well-known first nations visual artist who has received international acclaim for the way he has reframed and reflected the dark side of Australian history,” Louise said.
“Dark Serpent is the first major presentation of Daniel’s work in Brisbane, and it is in partnership with Gropius Bau in Berlin.”
The Institute of Modern Art’s gallery floors will be made into a stage-like mirrored surface to present the artwork.
Erth’s Shark Dive
If you have ever wanted to dive with sharks but been too afraid, take the plunge with Erth’s Shark Dive.
Louise said: “What’s great about this work is that the interactivity engages young people and their imagination and makes them feel like they’re a part of the performance.
“I’ve done Erth’s Shark Dive in Sydney with my children, and it really is quite an experience.
“You actually feel like you’re going into the submarine, and then you go down into the tank, and then the shark is a giant great white puppet that surrounds the tank, while we’re inside, listening to the soundtrack we choose.”
“We can choose whether we want to take a risk or have something a little less scary to listen to, and that is another way that it really empowers children to make a decision about how they want to engage with the work.”
She said it plays on people’s fascination with sharks and puppetry, making it a great school holiday activity for the whole family.
Esc. With us/80s Street Party
The Esc. With Us installation will be in King Street for the whole festival, “bringing 80s vibes to the forefront” as Louise puts it.
Louise painted the picture: “It’s these fabulous interactive, inflatable gaming machines where you get to play these 80s-style games.
For one night only, the precinct will be brought to life with DJs, roller-skating and even flamingoes for an unforgettable 80s Street Party.
“The Dead Puppet Society is doing these fantastic, illuminated flamingoes that are really fabulous, and they will be at many events across the festival as well as the 80s Street Party,” Louise said.
So, watch out for those flamingoes!
For tickets, visit www.brisbanefestival.com.au.