A few grumbles and a big cheer... and Nick's picks

This entry is from The Daily Telegraph's official Sydney Festival Blog.

There is a growing rift happening between a select few and the rest of the people who are attending the Sydney Festival events. I managed to find two of them last night at La Clique who are unhappy with the lack of ‘proper’ theatre and music in this year’s festival line-up.

I am not sure where it all comes from, but I suspect it is certain sections of festival going people who have a shared nostalgia for the days when Leo Schofield and Brett Sheehy were the festival directors. They were the days when chamber music and good old text based theatre were the big hit numbers.

I have a different recollection of those days, and am firmly planted in the camp relieved by current artistic director Fergus Linehan’s vision to create not only an exciting festival, but an energy that fills the streets. It’s a less dusty and more accessible programme that makes The Arts sexy, beautiful and brazen.

And besides, you can get your fill of chamber music and drawing room theatre any day of the week – can’t you??!

My tips for today are:

Ngapartji Ngapartji

I saw the pitch of this production (left) at the Company B launch, and I can safely say that this play will not only be challenging but will make you feel warm and part of a much greater story.

The marketing says “Spinifex man Trevor Jamieson leads an ensemble cast of performers, including elders and young people from the Pitjantjatjara community, in this intensely moving story of his family.”

From the Pitjantjatjara language, Ngapartji Ngapartji means roughly “I give you something, you give me something”. I was told by a colleague that the translation doesn’t truly honour the brevity of what that ‘something’ is but I am sure that you if get to go to this show, you may get a better idea.


Eat Drink Talk Art at The Mint

Arts journalist and TV presenter Caroline Baum has a chat with Nacho Duato, the Spanish choreographer behind the beautiful Three Works and Alas. It’s actually a really nice way to spend your lunch hour, so head over the cool shade of The Mint and hear one of the most revered choreographers currently around.


Tanja Liedtke - construct

Yesterday I recommended another About and Hour Movers and Shakers show and today I urge you all to try and get down to the Opera House (or Parramatta Riverside later in the series) to see another.

From the late Tanja Liedtke, construct was her final dance piece and not long before her appointment as head of the Sydney Dance Company.
For so many reasons, but simply just to see what a wonderful talent and creative powerhouse this woman was, get your tickets and go and see this show.





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