To better immortalise the immortal Star Trek, ‘The Ultimate Voyage’ landed at this year’s Melbourne Festival. The concept was simple: Journey through 50 years of Star Trek scenes and allow the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) to effortlessly beguile your auditory senses.
Held at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl on a typically frigid mid-spring Melbourne eve, we were in for a treat. The chill was somewhat staved off by the good people form China Southern Airlines who mercifully provided thermal blankets. Despite the cold, the stalls at the Bowl were packed and the grassy knoll had its fair share of Trekkies lining up for that perfect patch to view the spectacle.
Our conductor for the evening was Sarah Hicks. She started from 1966 — the year of the first Star Trek episode. Her energy was on display from the opening moments of the score and permeated everything the orchestra did throughout the performance. The team didn’t disappoint. True fans next to us were beaming with joy as their favourite scenes were played on the big screen. I particularly enjoyed Spock vs. Kirk from many a decade ago. How action scenes have changed!
At two hours plus, it was incredible value for money for Trekkies and MSO-goers. If you were both a Trekkie and MSO-er this was your nirvana. As always, mad props to the MSO team for continuing to showcase innovative programming that brings in new audiences and satisfies all.
– Rukmal
Co-founder of The Plus Ones, Rukmal lives and breathes events.
The Melbourne Festival runs from 3-23 October 2016 in venues across Melbourne CBD. Book tickets now. Plus read our guide to the best events.
