Identity And Place Unite At Melbourne Festival 2012

2 August 2012

Identity And Place Unite At Melbourne Festival 2012

From 11-27 October 2012, Melbourne’s arts and culture credentials are on full display when Melbourne Festival 2012 comes to town.

Featuring a series of international and Australian premières alongside a powerful arts program including dance, theatre and music, the festival explores the key themes of ‘identity’ and ‘place’.

Kicking off at the Regent Theatre with the Australian première of ‘After Life’, by contemporary opera genius, Michael van der Aa, the opening weekend continues with the transcendental ‘Swanlights’ from New York’s Antony and the Johnsons at Hamer Hall.

Legends from all genres of the music world, the program includes virtuoso violinist, Tim Fain; icons of alternative music Sonic Youth members Lee Ranaldo and Thurston Moore performing solo shows in Australia for the first time; UK artist Billy Bragg celebrating the legacy of Woody Guthrie and taking a trip through his own back catalogue; plus punk Chicago provocateurs, Shellac, will also make a rare live appearance.

The dance program is equally impressive with a mix of local and international talent including Germany’s The Forsythe Company, UK's Akram Khan with his critically acclaimed one-man show ‘Desh’ and Melbourne’s own Chunky Move. Award-winning choreographer Kate Champion and Force Majeure present a collision of dance and theatre inspired by popular Australian novel, ‘The Slap,’ and ‘Fault Lines’ explores stories of human tragedy in a world first collaboration between China, Australia and New Zealand,

Theatre highlights include the return of theatre ensemble ‘Schaubühne Berlin; an Obie Award winning production from Young Jean Lee’s Theatre Company in New York and a performance from German heavyweights ‘Gob Squad’ and Belgium’s Campo Arts Centre featuring eight to 14 year olds. LA SOIRÉE also brings an intoxicating blend of circus vaudeville and burlesque to the wonderfully apt Forum Theatre.

UK performance poet, Luke Wright, will also entertain crowds with his ‘Cynical Ballards’ and will host free midday poetry performances at Federation Square.

In visual arts, the undisputed highlight comes from political Spanish artist, Santiago Sierra, concluding his work spanning two years and ten countries with ‘Destroyed World’. While Antony (from Antony and the Johnsons) will be showcasing ‘Paradise’, his impressive collection of personal artworks.

Many of Melbourne’s most prestigious galleries and art spaces will also host exhibitions and events showcasing some of the world’s most significant contemporary artists including more unusual venues like a boat on the Yarra, St Paul’s Cathedral, a 25 metre bouncy castle and a sculptural maze of foam blocks.

ENDS

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