Brisbane Powerhouse has gathered the brightest talents of the theatrical world to bring you the World Theatre Festival (WTF), traversing Ireland, Korea, England, Scotland, Indonesia and North America to compile a diverse and exotic theatre experience.
“This year for WTF we've got independent theatre flavoured with circus, dance, opera, soul music and video games, as well as collaborations between artists from opposite sides of the globe,” says Kris Stewart, Brisbane Powerhouse Artistic Director.
All That Fall
Samuel Beckett is a popular old-school playwright, featured in what probably amounts to one in five theatre programs, but WTF's version of his radio play, 'All That Fall' (February 11-16), is hardly a familiar interpretation. To maintain Beckett's intent, the show will be brought to life with 450 lights and 60 rocking chairs, but no actors. Instead, a recording of some of Ireland's finest actors will be used, which should make for a unique experience.
Black Faggot
'Black Faggot' (February 19-23) is a two-man comedy about growing up gay in New Zealand's Pacific Island Community, inspired by the fathers and sons playwright Victor Rodger saw marching at the Destiny Church protest against the New Zealand Civil Union bill. “I thought at least one of those kids will be gay and probably feeling quite wretched about himself,” Rodger says. The show itself has inspired countless theatregoers, winning awards at both the Melbourne and Auckland fringe festivals.A Boy And His Soul
Colman Domingo brings his soul to Brisbane Powerhouse from February 12–16, with his life story of coming of age and coming out of the closet. “The show is a personal and universal story – it's about a city family dealing with a neighbourhood in transition, a boy becoming a man... and a son facing his parents' mortality,” says Domingo.Gudiir Gudirr
Contemporary dance piece 'Gudirr Gudirr' (February 20-22) has toured London and now makes its way to Brisbane Powerhouse. “'Gudirr Gudirr' is our warning call to the community,” says creator and performer Dalisa Pigram. The show will tackle important issues facing indigenous Australia such as the industrialisation of traditional lands, loss of culture and the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians' wellbeing, all through the stunning medium of dance.Mario Queen Of The Circus: His Crown Jewels
Circus meets Freddie Mercury in this spectacular and comedic circus extravaganza (February 14–22). The Queen of the circus is Mario – the alter ego of performer Clarke McFarlane, who will be joined by a selection of Australia's best female circus and cabaret performers. “Mario is a born showman and a huge Queen fan, so if you enjoy the moves of Freddie Mercury mixed with juggling and unicycling, you're in luck,” says McFarlane.
She Would Walk The SkyShe Would Walk The Sky
'She Would Walk The Sky' (February 18-23) sees multi-award winning playwright Finegan Kruckemeyer collaborate with critically acclaimed circus performer Chelsea McGuffin. “We were approached to create a new work that combined circus and theatre, and responded directly to Brisbane Powerhouse as a building and history landmark,” says McGuffin. “The show we're developing plays with the notion of abandoned buildings, rediscovering forgotten cultures, and features Finegan's lyrical prose, which is beautiful.”Solpadeine Is My Boyfriend
With black comedy and rhyming couplets, Stefanie Preissner explores the problems facing Ireland's Gen Y (February 12 – 16). “Our generation was promised everything — financial stability, job security — and yet we are either emigrating for work or queuing at the social welfare office like the generations before us.”The Great Spavaldos
If you ever dreamt of running away with the circus but never had the courage then this is the show for you. “For 'The Great Spavaldos' (February 11-22) we invite audiences to become trapeze artists and experience the giddying high of circus life in the early 20th century,” says co-creator Silvia Mercuriali. The show is designed for two people at a time to experience life as The Great Spavaldos, with audience members given video goggles and headphones to immerse themselves in the world of the infamous acrobat brothers. 지하 UndergroundIf you're up for a party then ‘Underground’ (February 12-23), set in a Korean speakeasy bar, is worth checking out. The show blurs the lines of fiction and reality, with the speakeasy functioning as a real bar where patrons can purchase Korean beer, rice wine, local beer and spirits, engage in the show and even stay afterward if they feel like partying on. The show tells the story of the owner of the bar and his search for love and belonging, with his ragtag staff of musicians and storytellers playing out key moments of his life.
Wedhus Gembel
