Overview
Grabbing a bite to eat and heading to a performance; it's the tried and true template for a good night out, particularly when Brisbane Festival rolls around. Across the city come September, everyone's always racing from restaurant to venue, or from pre-drinks to the festival's South Bank hub. This year, one show will cut out all that running around.
The first announced event for BrisFest 2015, Fear & Delight adds a new spin to the idea of dinner and a show. It's a three-part performance all in one place, with feasting beforehand and partying afterwards.
Taking a wild journey far outside the realms of reality is the main attraction, as cult UK artists The Correspondents combine forces with an international cast. Against a soundtrack of jazz-infused electro, they'll perform incredible physical feats and unleash a healthy dose of heart-racing spectacle. Prepare for plenty of "oohs" and "aahs".
Those arriving early can also enjoy The Devil's Banquet, the show's eye-opening gastronomic and theatrical escapade. It's not just a magical meal before the main event — it's a decadent feast complete with more than a few surprises, up close to the performance and very limited in terms of capacity. Then there's The After Party, which is exactly what it sounds like. You'll drink, you'll dance, and you won't even have to leave the performance space.
There's no one-size-fits-all approach to an experience of this type, with patrons free to pick and choose which parts they want to attend. It's all created by Strut & Fret, the folks behind previous Brisbane Festival hits LIMBO and Cantina, so whichever option you go with, you know you're in for something special. In fact, the whole experience is so big that Brisbane Festival is adding another performance tent to their riverside base just to house it. You won't be able to miss the new venue; it's five times bigger than previous years.
Brisbane Festival runs from September 5 – 26 across Brisbane. The full 2015 festival program is announced on June 25. For more information, or to book tickets to Fear & Delight, visit the festival website.
