Brisbane Festival Brightens Up the City with Its 2014 Program

It’s that time of year, when the Brisbane Festival unleashes its annual arts extravaganza under the cover of fireworks. The fifth and final program by departing artistic director Noel Staunton will span the streets and spring into the skies from September 6-27.

While all of Brisbane prepares to literally look up at Riverfire, the explosive finale is just the icing on the cake. For three weeks, the city will come alive in a showcase of 73 productions and 440 performances.

An undoubted highlight for fans of things a little less ordinary — and those who spent hours staring at their televisions in awe as children — is the world premiere of Monkey… Journey to the West, based on the cult series Monkey Magic. At the opposite end of the spectrum, the festival hosts the Australian premiere season of The Perfect American, Philip Glass’s new operatic imagining of Walt Disney’s final months.

The famous Spiegeltent returns with another stellar schedule of talent, including Miami Horror, Midnight Juggernauts' Aerials Tenth anniversary tour, and Urthboy’s Make Me a Mixtape, plus comedy from Matt Okine and Ronny Chieng.

Looking for something more interactive? Walk through the inflatable city maze of Exxopolis, or wander in the Light Garden — South Bank’s bamboo forest, lit up and reimagined.

With the outdoor aerial acrobatics of Do Do Land and the sudsy comedy of SOAP also on the lineup, there’s something for everyone in an event that turns the river city into a fresh and festive arts wonderland.

Tickets are on sale from June 30. For more information visit the Brisbane Festival website.

Image by Atmosphere Photography.