Looking for entertainment that's guaranteed to tickle your creative taste buds? Melbourne Festival has an array of shows on offer, from bang-on-the-beat music to the gloriously quirky, so it’s the perfect way to get amongst the city’s thriving music and arts scene.
Here’s our top 10 picks. Don’t miss out.
10. LIMBO
There are worse places to be than stuck in LIMBO…This world-renowned, headymix of cabaret, circus and acrobatics is making its Melbourne debut this year, and if Madonna has seen it twice, you should see it once – at least.
9.THE BACCHAE
God, beasts and crisis mixed with angst, pain and sacrifice make this one powerful theatre show. Created by Aaron Orzech and Adena Jacobs, Jacobs is being hailed as one of the hottest new talents to watch out for in Aussie theatre.
8. CUT COPY DJS
Put on your dancing shoes and boogy the night away with electronic dance music wizards Cut Copy (DJs Dan Whitford and Tim Hoey) on the decks in this late-night gig. Be prepared to lose some sleep for a very good cause.
7. THE RABBITS
Music can paint a pretty sweet picture, and that's exactly what indie–pop artist Kate Miller-Heidke is aiming to do as she brings to life John Marsden and Shaun Tan’s picture–book The Rabbits in this impressive operatic theatre that will appeal to both adults and children. The tragic tale is set to hit a new note entirely.
6. BABYLON CIRCUS
The only answer to going to see this ridiculously handsome French 10-piece should be a straight-out "oui, oui". So be French for the night, and immerse yourself in their horn-driven mix of reggae, swing, ska and punk. Merci for that music.
5. MONKEY... JOURNEY TO THE WEST
Family entertainment is the aim of the game in this magical mix of acrobatics, martial arts, comedy and puppetry. Based on the 16th century novel Journey to the West by Wu Cheng'en, it follows the tiresome journey of monk Tripitaka from China to India to retrieve a sacred text that will bring happiness to the world.
4. DESDEMONA
If you fancy something high brow rather than arty fun, this play, based on Shakespeare's fiery creation Desdemona, is one to watch… changing the way you will read Othello forever. By Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison, and directed by Peter Sellars, it's guaranteed to pack a hard-hitting punch of the dramatic variety.
3. LAURA MARLING
UK folk muso darling Laura Marling's sweet tones are always a treat to tune into, and with a full band on tour, it’s an impressive spectacle to watch too. She might just be a fresh-faced 25 years old, but the award-winning chick is moving her style in a new direction with a more electric vibe, and she’s here to promote her new self-produced release Short Movie, that has been hailed in the UK as a "masterpiece".
2. 32 RUE VANDENBRANDEN
Living up to its name "Peeping Tom", this Belgian dance/theatre troupe promises provocative drama in this tale of six inhabitants of an isolated mountain–top community, who struggle with a blurred reality and profound loneliness.Accompanied by a haunting soundtrack from Bellini, Stravinsky and Pink Floyd, it's gripping stuff.
1.FLIGHT FACILITIES
There are so many reasons not to miss this gig. One - it's electronic music legends Flight Facilities (enough said) and two, they're playing with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Three, it’s at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl… and you can’t beat outdoor spring-time gigs on the grass. Four, it’s Flight Facilities’ only gig in Melbourne this year. And if you needed one more reason to get all over it, there’s going to be a spectacular light installation from French studio CHEVALVERT.
- Claire
Claire Henderson is a passionate lover of food, fashion, and all things fun and fabulous.
Melbourne Festival runs October 8-25 at various locations around Melbourne.
Disclosure: The Plus Ones are invited guests of TS Publicity.
