A galaxy of stars will hit Perth when Perth Festival comes to town at the beginning of 2023.
Celebrating art without borders for the festival’s 70th anniversary, audiences are invited to look outwards, upwards, and sing to the sky, under the Noongar 2023 theme of Djinda (Stars).
Djoondal opens the festival in a Noongar-led free public spectacle of lights, lasers, music and choreographed drones. The opening weekend also features Sydney Theatre Company’s ‘Strange Case Of Dr Jekyll And Mr Hyde’, Stephanie Lake Company’s dance-drum ‘Manifesto’, free dance works, the pan-African dance futurism of Bikutsi 3000 from Cameroon’s Blick Bassy, and ‘Happy Meal’.
Over at Perth Concert Hall, Emma Donovan and Emma Matthews sing songs about ancient stories with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra.
Djoondal - Image © Trevor Dobson, Louise Coghill, Jade Foo
What follows is three star-studded weeks. Music acts like Bon Iver, Angel Olsen, and Bikini Kill, Kronos Quartet, Australian Dance Theatre, and Melbourne Theatre Company with Virginia Gay’s ‘Cyrano’ presented by Black Swan State Theatre Company.
The Rechabite will be Perth Festival’s home of contemporary music, bringing exciting acts from across the globe such as Peaches, Kae Tempest, Mdou Moctar, Mykki Blanco, Nahkane, Julia Jacklin, and an array of Australian and First Nations artists.
Musical icon Björk will present her dazzling theatrical extravaganza ‘Cornucopia’ in Langley Park – a special closing event. ‘Cornucopia’ has only been presented a few times around the world.
'Strange Case Of Dr Jekyll And Mr Hyde' - Image © Daniel Boud
Local choreographer Laura Boynes showcases a stellar cast of dancers in ‘Equations Of A Falling Body’, one of the new festival commissions, another being ‘Tracker’, which sees Australian Dance Theatre’s Daniel Riley joining Ursula Yovich, Rachael Maza and other leading First Nations artists to tell the story of Daniel’s conflicted police tracker great-great-uncle.
While Björk lights up Langley Park, the nearby Perth Concert Hall will host a weekend of musical wonder from the Kronos Quartet who celebrate their 50th anniversary. French pianist Cédric Tiberghien performs John Cage masterpieces while composer, double bassist and vocalist Linda May Han Oh performs ‘Ephemeral Echoes’.
'Cyrano'
In the realm of visual arts, the entire programme is free. There’s Italian artist Rosa Barba’s first Australian solo show, and exhibitions featuring Robert Andrew, Jacobus Capone, the Tennant Creek Brio and a celebration of John Curtin Gallery’s 25-year Perth Festival partnership. The 2023 Perth Festival Artist-In-Residence is Jason Phu.
“We welcome everyone to enjoy a Festival filled with sparkling events for all – a celebration of our City of Lights in full illumination,” Artistic Director Iain Grandage says.
“Festival time in Perth is the perfect opportunity to come together and find inspiration in the most unexpected ways. Our Djinda 2023 Festival is a lens to see the world through new eyes. It speaks to the stars above and the shining lights within and we can’t wait for you to join us.”
Check out the full programme.
Perth Festival is on from 10 February-5 March.
