The Cat Empire with Queensland Symphony Orchestra | Queensland Symphony Orchestra & Brisbane Festival
For all the fun and frivolity of the night there too was a sincerity to the evening. It was born of a shared love for the work of this iconic Australian band, but also for the power of live music to escape us from our troubles and honour our survival.
Common People Dance Eisteddfod 2024 | Common People Dance Project
The message of the evening was loud and clear – dance was and is for everybody and EVERY BODY. Every single team served and slayed in its interpretation of its respective chosen theme. Every fibre of their being seemed to scream cries of unadulterated joy.
Assembly Vol. 1 | Australasian Dance Collective
Assembly Vol. 1 truly lived up to its name, and that is what made it feel so special. In the end, it turned out to be an assembly not only of talented artists, but also of everyday people united by their love for the arts
Cirque Bon Bon - Le Retour | JACs Entertainment
There were so many excellent moments in Le Retour, but one special highlight for me was contortionist and foot archery artist, Shannen Michaela, who performed her spectacular and technical archery act. The crowd was blown away by the acts, how she was able to set the scene, with accompanying epic music, as well as her charisma and perfect execution.
Private View | Restless Dance Theatre
Private View is a work that encourages us to dream wildly and let others dream wildly of the love, desire, kindness, lust, and affection we all deserve. It shows us its dreams and gently invites us to remove the barricades and barriers we have within our own. And, with every dream it liberates, I know it changes our world for the better. It’s just bloody lovely, is what it is.
Lighting the Dark | DanceNorth
As the performers are presented, they are each warmly hugged and welcomed by Chris Dyke—communicating a sense of the artists as people who need to work closely with and trust their fellow dancers. It’s wonderful to then watch those individuals transform from initial ‘chatter,’ and playfulness, to performing impressive dance—here a literal lighting of the dark stage, when the artists ‘switch on’ their performance skills.
Us and All of This | Liesel Zink, Lawrence English, & Performing Lines
Zink and English have achieved something incredibly special here - a true collaboration with highlights coming from both mediums present within the work, it was an honour to watch it in this iteration, with these performers, at this location. Installation art has the ability to change the world in which it exists, and nowhere have I found this to be more true than with Us and All of This.
Jean Paul Gaultier’s Fashion Freak Show | Jean Paul Gaultier & Brisbane Festival
Fun, flashy, and fantastical; Jean Paul Gaultier’s Fashion Freak Show is a love letter to fashion geeks, theatre freaks, and the super chic everywhere. It’s a spectacular night of entertainment that takes to a world where everything and everyone can be (and is) beautiful. You do not want to miss it.
Volcano | Luke Murphy's Attic Projects
I knew about ten minutes into the final episode that I would be giving this work a standing ovation and did so with a swiftness I’ve not afforded another work perhaps ever, and my fellow audience members did not hesitate to join me. Haunting, evocative, captivating: Volcano is utterly brilliant, utterly utterly brilliant.
Our hot picks for BrisFest 2024
Spring is in the air and what does that mean for Magandjin / Meeanjin? It’s time for BrisFest! Running from 30 August to 21 September this year, we’re once again spoilt for choice with some epic offerings of theatre, circus, musicals, dance, cabaret, live music, installations and so much more. This is way too much goodness in the program for this year’s festival, so who better to turn to than the writers of NEHIB to let you know what you simply must see at BrisFest this year.
Horizon | Bangarra Dance Theatre
If you are new to Bangarra’s work, then Horizon is for you. If you are looking for a memorable creative and cultural experience, then Horizon is for you. If you want to admire exceptional cutting-edge contemporary dance, with great music, lighting and costumes … Horizon is also for you. angarra’s Horizon is an unmissable experience.
![[gameboy] | Amy Zhang](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/64c498e140a63f71397ea8cc/1718763322394-3ERKI10YSQK9NAC2K6E7/Gameboy-byJadeEllis-highres-232.jpg)
[gameboy] | Amy Zhang
All-in-all [gameboy] is an evocative night of dance that can be read as a commentary on internet gaming and culture or as a thesis on the game of life and the role of intersectional identity in determining how well we are allowed play. Brilliant and evocative; legible to the intellectual and viscerally affective for those just wanting to have a good experience at the theatre. Brava.
Tracker | Australian Dance Theatre
Wiradjuri choreographer and Australian Dance Theatre Artistic Director, Daniel Riley, has brought together a talented team of creatives and artists to create a show that focuses on Daniel Riley’s exploration of the life of his Great-Great Uncle, Alec "Tracker" Riley.
ITEM | Dance Masala's Nakhre Crew
The all-female Nakhre crew comprising main performers Andrea Lam, Angela Nair, Ashwin Singh, Janaki Gerard, and Mugdha Khatavkar brought so much vivacity into their respective art-making that their personalities really shone through as the piece unfolded itself in a tight, well-paced composition which spanned an hour.
CAKE | IMRSE
This extravagant new work by IMRSE is a feast for the senses and an unapologetic exploration of cancel culture and the concept of an invariable history writing itself. Expect no less than extreme over-dramatics–in the best way, I promise! CAKE is hilarious, sexy, and high energy, offering a deeply satisfying way to spend a night out.
Glass Child | The Farm & Kayah and Maitreyah Guenther
In the past two days, I have found myself continuously contemplating every aspect of the performance. The show had so many subtle details that made it truly special. As someone who enjoys revisiting past reviews to gauge a show’s lasting impact and reflect on any evolving opinions, I can confidently say that Glass Child has already left an indelible mark on me. It is a production that I will undoubtedly continue to think about for months to come.
Lucie in the Sky | Australasian Dance Collective (ADC)
Lucie in the Sky is far more than a dance performance. It is an endearing and provocative work of art compelling us to consider deep-diving into the world of cybernetics. Evaluating the potentially detrimental repercussions of AI’s revolutionary progress on some businesses, it begs the following question: What does it mean to see, situate, and elevate humanity at the centre, if not the forefront, of technology?
Red | Dancenorth
The final image of the show was perhaps the most confronting. It lingered and encouraged me to sit with the feeling of it. It's a final statement of the show that was clearly meant to be seen in person, not read online. Being presented with a challenge like that was invigorating and I hope I get to see more work that engages the audience in that way.
The People's Dance Party 7 | Bring a Plate Inclusive Dance Company
The People’s Dance Party was pot-luck banquet for lovers of movement, where you get to sample and play as much as you like. While each course was a little light for my tastes, it was ultimately a satisfying night that filled my dance cup. With so much damn talent in our fair city, it’s sure to return too, so book your spot on the dance floor when Bring a Plate returns with the next round.
Drenched | Caetlyn Watson
Brisbane was indeed privy to an extraordinary dance performance brought to the stage by a phenomenal dancer/choreographer/director. Such is the magic of performance art that it felt as if this particular choreographer had unwittingly reached inside each dancer, ripped out their ‘soul’, placed it on stage and said “I give you permission to bare yourself to the audience.’’