It's festival season in Perth at the moment and this year's Perth Festival program offers a range of fantastic theatrical performances from dark comedy to Shakespearean classics reimagined.
With so many wonderful shows on offer it can be hard to know what to grab tickets for, so we've summed up some of our top picks for Perth Festival 2020.
Hecate: Queen of the Witches
Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company, a leading Indigenous performing arts organisation, has made history by producing the first ever large-scale production of Shakespeare, performed entirely in Noongar language. Following an alternative narrative to the Shakespearean classic, Macbeth, Hecate: Queen of the Witches reclaims and revives the Noongar language.
Bran Nue Dae
‘It is my story but it is also yours and everybody else you know who seeks love and happiness in a world clouded by injustice.’ – Jimmy Chi
The coming-of-age classic Bran Nue Dae will be making a return to Perth as part of the festival. The semi-autobiographical, theatrical re-telling of the all-Australian tale promises to entertain and leave you with a sense of nostalgia. Presented by the West Australian Opera and written by Jimmy Chi and Knuckles, come along for this entertaining and heart-warming story.
Cloudstreet
Be transported to a post-war Perth where two working-class families with nothing in common have to live in the same house on Cloudstreet. Watch as the their lives intersect, resulting in a haunting and beautiful story of the human condition. Based on Tim Winton’s critically acclaimed and award-winning novel, Cloudstreet, this is set to be an unmissable theatrical experience.
Chalkroom
Artists Laurie Anderson and Hsin-Chien Huang have created a free virtual reality experience like no other. With hand-written letters, drawings and words sprawled over the walls, audiences can step inside this artwork and immerse themselves within a shadowy, atmospheric world that is hand-drawn, dusty and dark.
I’m a Phoenix, Bitch
‘Bryony Kimmings' performance resonates for long after the show has ended’ – The Guardian
Bryony Kimmings nearly lost everything. Within I’m a Phoenix, Bitch, Kimmings shares her most intimate experiences from a very vulnerable time in her life. Tackling hardship with humour, I’m a Phoenix, Bitch has received acclaim across the globe, with sell-out shows in Perth in previous years.
Anthem
‘Energising, clear-eyed, superbly acted and magnificently staged.’ -The Australian
Does Australia share a dream and do we sing with one voice? Anthem is turning up the volume on injustice seen within Australia today. This funny and hard-hitting performance holds up a mirror to society, forcing the audience to see what has always existed.
Leviathan
‘A revolution in the spectacle of circus’ – Les Echos
The world first performance of Leviathan combines Circa’s critically acclaimed cast with local performers for an exciting and dynamic circus event. Directed by Yaron Lifschitz, the amazing skill and emotion within Leviathan makes for an exhilarating theatrical experience.
Ian strange
Critically acclaimed Australian artist Ian Strange has made waves with his emotional photographic series entitled Suburban Intervention. Commenting on the emotions of anxiety and deprivation, Suburban Intervention gives audiences a chance to explore Ian Strange as an artist and discover why his work has attracted international attention. See Suburban Intervention for free at Perth Festival.
Image Credits: Ian Strange, Eva Fernandez, Tristram Kenton, Pier Carthew, Laurie Anderson & Hsin-Chien Huang, Pia Johnson, Damien Bredberg.
