Sydney Festival 2019 Parramatta and Western Sydney Brochure

SYD FEST 19

Model: Steph Wong Photo: Richard Hedger

PARRAMATTA & WESTERN SYDNEY

PROUD PARTNER

from local to international, bold and playful…

these are your stories At Create NSW we are committed to supporting NSW artists, arts and cultural organisations.

This year marks our 43rd year as Festival partner.

We hope you enjoy a dynamic, colourful and diverse Festival.

create.nsw.gov.au

HELLO

Welcome to Sydney Festival.

Western Sydney is home to a diverse range of peoples and stories, from the Darug with over 60,000 years of custodianship, to the history of early British settlement, and now a population coming from all corners of the globe. Noel Pearson says these three stories make Australia who we are today. This year, Sydney Festival presents a program that reflects who we are as a country, and points to a future where we stand together with respect.

Check out the world premiere of Shànghǎi MiMi 上海咪咪, a 1930s-era cabaret combining live Chinese jazz and blues with the thrills and daring of acrobatics, and Rock Bang, Circus Oz’s very rock’n’roll new adventure.

Circus Comes To Town returns with spectacular free outdoor shows, workshops, music and a parade, and in the Crescent at Parramatta Park Sydney Symphony Under the Stars is also back with a free evening of classical music.

You can see Brett & Wendy…A Love Story Bound By Art created by Theatre of Image, or Omar Musa’s electrifying Since Ali Died, and while you’re at Riverside Theatres check out the moon exhibition by Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences. Nearby, our popular free classes and intensive three-day courses of Bayala return to Prince Alfred Square and Parramatta Library, where you can learn local Sydney language with Indigenous teachers.

Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre plays host to industrial chamber music by three acclaimed ensembles in Suppression Dam, while Blak Box brings to Blacktown stories from current and future Elders of the local Aboriginal community.

Check out the whole array of activities happening across Sydney in January by jumping on sydneyfestival.org.au. There is always so much to see and do. Buy a ticket or three, plan to attend some free events and tell your friends and family that January is a time to come together and stand together.

Love,

Wesley Enoch Sydney Festival Director

CABARET

SHÀNGHAI MIMI 上海咪咪

SHÀNGHǍI MIMI PTY LTD, FINUCANE & SMITH AND CAEG I AUSTRALIA WORLD PREMIERE Dress to the nines and immerse yourself in the intoxicating world of Shànghǎi MiMi 上海咪咪, a sumptuous cabaret of delights.

Inspired by 1930s Shanghai, a city famous for its flamboyant clubs and heady nights, Shànghǎi MiMi 上海咪咪 is directed by Australia’s ground-breaking and multi-awardwinning performer and director Moira Finucane. A hotshot live band plays vintage Chinese jazz and blues, while dancers, acrobats, aerialists and singers from China, Cameroon, Australia and France give thrilling performances: flying overhead, dazzling your eyes and winning your hearts.

Commissioned by Sydney Festival

THE AGE

“SWINGING SHANGHAI “SHANGHAI WAS A OF THE 1930S [WAS] A VERITABLE STAR METROPOLITAN FACTORY IN ITS GOLDEN ERA” MUSICAL MELTING POT” VANTAGE MAGAZINE

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SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST

Photos: Yang Xiaohuo 杨小惑

“MOIRA FINUCANE IS A NATIONALTREASURE”

RIVERSIDE THEATRE 10–20 JANUARY

$36–$66 + booking fee

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THE AUSTRALIAN

BRETT & WENDY

A LOVE STORY BOUND BY ART

Take a deep dive into the extraordinary, turbulent artistic partnership of Brett and Wendy Whiteley with this visually ravishing production, featuring actors, dancers and live music.

LENNOX THEATRE RIVERSIDE THEATRES 18–27 JANUARY $60 + booking fee

GRIFFIN THEATRE COMPANY I AUSTRALIA

TIME OUT

RAFFERTYS THEATRE RIVERSIDE THEATRES 22–25 JANUARY $35 + booking fee

ENSEMBLE OFFSPRING, INTERNATIONAL CONTEMPORARY ENSEMBLE AND ENSEMBLE ADAPTER I AUSTRALIA/USA/GERMANY Three celebrated international art music ensembles combine to form a super group in the vast Casula Powerhouse Turbine Hall.

$45 + booking fee 6

Photo: Courtesy of the artist

CASULA POWERHOUSE ARTS CENTRE 12 & 13 JANUARY

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MAAS AND THE MOON Discover more about the moon, and how it inspires us, in this small display curated by the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (MAAS).

RIVERSIDE THEATRES 9–27 JANUARY FREE

CLASSES

SUPPRESSION DAM

MUSIC

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$35 + booking fee

Image: Ornery, brass & ivory, W.Harris & Co, England,1789-c.1805, MAAS Collection.

“MAGNETIC”

BLACKTOWN SHOWGROUND PRECINCT 9 JANUARY–2 FEBRUARY

MUSEUM OF APPLIED ARTS AND SCIENCES AUSTRALIA

Photo: David Charles Collins

Written and performed by Australia’s powerhouse spoken word poet Omar Musa, Since Ali Died is a triumphant, riveting suite of politically-charged and deeply personal storytelling, rap and song.

BLAK BOX URBAN THEATRE PROJECTS AND BLACKTOWN ARTS I AUSTRALIA

INSTALLATION

SINCE ALI DIED

THEATRE

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The voices of elders and future leaders from Blacktown’s Aboriginal community feature in Four Winds, a surround-sound ‘deep listening’ experience curated by Daniel Browning that gives audiences a deeper and broader understanding of contemporary Aboriginality.

Photo: Barton Taylor

Photo: Brett & Wendy in Bali 1980, Brett Whiteley Archive, copyright Wendy Whiteley, The Brett Whiteley Studio.

KIM CARPENTER’S THEATRE OF IMAGE IN ASSOCIATION WITH RIVERSIDE THEATRES PARRAMATTA I AUSTRALIA I WORLD PREMIERE

INSTALLATION

“THEATRICAL MAGIC”

THEATRE

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LET’S SPEAK SYDNEY LANGUAGE FREE LANGUAGE CLASSES

THREE-DAY LANGUAGE COURSES

Back by popular demand for the third year, be part of the reawakening of Sydney Aboriginal language with an introductory one-hour language class developed by Darug woman Aunty Jacinta Tobin and Gadigal man Joel Davison.

If you came along to a class in previous years, or would like to learn more, extend your knowledge of local language by taking part in a three-day course that delves deeper into language structure, developed by Aunty Jacinta Tobin and Joel Davison.

PRINCE ALFRED SQUARE PARRAMATTA 12 & 13 JANUARY

PARRAMATTA LIBRARY 9–11 JANUARY

FREE Registration required

$45 + booking fee

CIRCUS/FAMILY

CIRCUS COMES TO TOWN Join us for a weekend of circus fun in Parramatta’s Prince Alfred Square.

See incredible free Mallakhambindia performances, and marvel at Heliosphere. Aerialize is also back with affordable circus skills workshops for all ages and abilities, along with our outdoor Flying Trapeze Workshops. The circus is coming to town and you’re invited!

CIRCUS/FAMILY

FLY ME TO THE MOON PARADE Photo: Chris Biele

Jump on your bike and join in the opening parade on 11 January! Attend free workshops all day on 10 and 11 January to turn your bike into a flying machine.

Visit the website for full details.

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Photos: Hayden Shepard

FREE

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HELIOSPHERE

THE DREAM ENGINE I UK

The Heliosphere brings the shared human dream of flying to life in a spectacular way.

A giant, moon-like, glowing helium sphere suspends a talented aerialist 20 metres above the crowd, creating the illusion of weightless levitation.

PRINCE ALFRED SQUARE PARRAMATTA 11–13 JANUARY FREE

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AERIALIZE WORKSHOPS

Discover your inner acrobat with Sydney’s leading circus training centre. Aerialize hosts a series of fun workshops for all ages and abilities, covering everything from aerial skills to handstands, mini-tramp, hula hoops and juggling for ages 2+.

Photo: Benjamin Knapton

An ancient Indian sport is given new life, as five of India’s best Mallakhamb artists perform breathtaking stunts on large vertical poles. Combining gymnastics, wrestling and aerial yoga, these extraordinary artists eloquently perform feats of strength, poise and dexterity in a physical spectacle that borders on the impossible.

CIRCUS/FAMILY

CIRCUS

INDIA

PRINCE ALFRED SQUARE PARRAMATTA 11–13 JANUARY

Swoop through the sky on a 10-metre high trapeze rig with Sydney Trapeze School. Perfect for beginner or intermediate acrobats, these hands-on, two-hour workshops introduce you to the art and guide you through a low-level practice, before you harness up to learn high flying trapeze tricks.

$50 + booking fee

FREE

MALLAKHAMBINDIA

FLYING TRAPEZE WORKSHOPS

PRINCE ALFRED SQUARE PARRAMATTA 11–13 JANUARY

PRINCE ALFRED SQUARE PARRAMATTA 11–13 JANUARY

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COURTYARD RIVERSIDE THEATRES 11–20 JANUARY $10 + booking fee

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★★★★★ “THEY’RE HILARIOUS” CBC CANADA (ON OTTO & ASTRID)

“ADEPT, UNADULTERATED MISCHIEF” THE TIMES UK

THE AGE (ON CIRCUS OZ)

ROCK BANG

CIRCUS OZ IN COLLABORATION WITH OTTO & ASTRID I AUSTRALIA

CIRCUS/FAMILY

★★★★★ “BRILLIANTLY CHOREOGRAPHED MAYHEM PERFORMED WITH ASTONISHING SYNCHRONICITY AND PHYSICAL PRECISION”

CIRCUS

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A hilarious and hard-rocking circus extravaganza from Circus Oz with art-rock-comedy duo Otto & Astrid from Die Roten Punkte. Australia’s original rock’n’roll circus returns with an electric new show packed with their signature irreverent comedy. Rock Bang combines heart-thumping acrobatics, face-melting funnies and head-banging live music, before descending into spectacular chaos.

Photo: Ben Weinstein

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DUMMIES CORP. I AUSTRALIA

LENNOX THEATRE RIVERSIDE THEATRES 11–13 JANUARY Photo: Andrew Wuttke

$36 + booking fee Family ticket available

SPLASH TEST DUMMIES

Dive into a swimming pool of slapstick stunts and comedy with an awardwinning family circus trio. Splash Test Dummies’ hour-long aquatic adventure brings together synchronised swimming on unicycles, ‘Muscle Beach’ human balancing acts and water skiing through the theatre, in a unique and whimsical show for all ages.

Recommended for ages 13+ LENNOX THEATRE RIVERSIDE THEATRES 10–13 JANUARY

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$26 + booking fee Family ticket available

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TICKETS

All price ranges listed are full price tickets.

For all pricing details including concessions, visit the website.

Tickets available from 9AM THURSDAY 25 OCTOBER Visit sydneyfestival.org.au or call 1300 856 876

SYDNEY SYMPHONY UNDER THE STARS

MUSIC

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SYDNEY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA I AUSTRALIA

FESTIVAL MULTIPACKS

UNDER 30

Book 3 or more events to save up to 20%.* Buy your Multipack before 9am Monday 12 November to get access to some of the best seats. Multipack allocations are strictly limited, so book early to avoid disappointment.

A limited allocation of tickets are available for people 30 years and under for Shànghǎi MiMi 上海咪咪. Tickets are $39 + booking fee.

Photo ID will be required at the event to obtain the reduced price.

*Some exclusions apply.

Visit sydneyfestival.org.au/multipacks

Visit sydneyfestival.org.au/under30 CONCESSIONS

GROUP BOOKINGS

Concession tickets are available for full-time Save 10–25% off A Reserve or General Admission students, pensioners, Seniors Card holders, children 16 years and under, and the unemployed. tickets by booking for a group of 10 or more.

One of the most well-loved Sydney Festival events returns to Parramatta.

It’s the perfect evening for families and friends to pack a hamper, grab a blanket, and settle back in a Sydney summer dusk to enjoy beautiful music.

Conducted by Ben Northey, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra performs a selection of iconic film music and wellknown classical favourites by Rossini, Strauss, Tchaikovsky and more.

Some exclusions apply.

For details visit sydneyfestival.org.au/groups GIFT VOUCHERS A Sydney Festival gift voucher is the perfect gift for a friend or loved one to choose their own Festival experience.

Visit sydneyfestival.org.au/giftvouchers

Proof of concession must be produced at the events to obtain the concession or child price.

Concessions are only available where indicated and may be subject to availability.

For full ticketing terms and conditions, visit sydneyfestival.org.au/tandc

THE CRESCENT PARRAMATTA PARK 19 JANUARY FREE

FESTIVAL FEASTS Photos: Jamie Williams

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We’ve partnered with top restaurants to satisfy your Festival appetite this January – simply mention Festival Feasts.

For more information visit sydneyfestival.org.au/ff

$30

$55

$55

CHEFS GALLERY PARRAMATTA

CHOPHOUSE PARRAMATTA

EL-PHOENICIAN PARRAMATTA

Shop 2184, Westfield Parramatta 159–175 Church Street 1300 824 337

83 Macquarie Street 02 8569 2500

328 Church Street 02 9633 1611 13

ACCESS & INCLUSION

We welcome all visitors to Sydney Festival events and make every effort to ensure the program is accessible to our whole audience. For all details on the Festival’s access program, precincts, venues, built environments and for show information including duration times, visit the website.

WHEELCHAIR ACCESS

ACCESSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE SYMBOL

The wheelchair symbol indicates the venue/ location is wheelchair accessible or has been made accessible for Sydney Festival.

Designated wheelchair spaces (where available) will be sold at the lowest full price in the house for that performance.

The following events are accessible to all people. To ensure we are fully inclusive, please let us know of any specific requirements before attending the event.

ASSISTIVE LISTENING SYSTEMS Assistive listening systems provide hearing augmentation and amplification.

AUDIO DESCRIPTION/TACTILE TOURS Trained audio describers provide live verbal descriptions of actions, costumes, scenery and other visual elements of the performance. Tactile tours allow patrons who are blind or have low vision and their companions to explore the set, props and costumes prior to the performance.

Bookings are essential.

Aerialize Workshops all sessions are for all abilities, page 9 COMPANION CARD Companion Card holders qualify for a second ticket at no cost for their companion.

Please contact Sydney Festival directly to assist with your booking.

ACCESS AT THE CRESCENT

Rock Bang 12 January, 7.30pm (tactile tour at 6.30pm) page 10

At Sydney Symphony Under the Stars a viewing area for patrons with accessibility needs is located at the front, on the right-hand side as you look at the stage.

Friends and family are also welcome in the designated viewing area. The precinct is relatively flat with a mix of grass and paved surfaces. Accessible amenities are available.

AUSLAN INTERPRETED PERFORMANCES SYMBOL

CONTACT US

As the action unfolds, an Auslan interpreter stands to one side of the stage, signing the text and dialogue live.

For access information, bookings or to give us feedback, please call us on 1300 856 876 or email access@sydneyfestival.org.au.

Rock Bang 12 January, 7.30pm page 10 Blak Box 19 January, 6pm page 7

VENUES BLACKTOWN SHOWGROUND PRECINCT Corner Richmond Road and Balmoral Street, Blacktown 2148 02 9839 6000 blacktown.nsw.gov.au CASULA POWERHOUSE ARTS CENTRE 1 Powerhouse Road, Casula 2170 02 9824 1121 casulapowerhouse.com 14

PARRAMATTA LIBRARY 1–3 Fitzwilliam Street, Parramatta 2150 02 9806 5159 cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au

PRINCE ALFRED SQUARE Corner Church Street and Market Street, Parramatta 2150 02 9806 5050 cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au

PARRAMATTA PARK Pitt Street and Macquarie Street, Parramatta 2150 02 9895 7500 parrapark.com.au

RIVERSIDE THEATRES Corner Church Street and Market Street, Parramatta 2150 02 8839 3399 riversideparramatta.com.au

JOIN ROBBIE & WENDY FOR BREAKFAST Live on 702 AM, digital radio, online or via the ABC listen app Special distinguished partner of Sydney Festival

abc.net.au/sydney

EXPERIENCE SYDNEY FESTIVAL OUR WAY IN PARRAMATTA discoverparramatta.com