5 – 28 February
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PERTH FESTIVAL 5 – 28 February 2021 Perth Festival acknowledges the Noongar people who continue to practise their values, language, beliefs and knowledge on their kwobidak boodjar. They remain the spiritual and cultural birdiyangara of this place and we honour and respect their caretakers and custodians Image: Laura Farmer, Djil-Djit and the vital role Noongar people Courtesy the artist and Peter Farmer Designs play for our community and our Bilya. River. Nestled into boodjar, mother earth. Bilya is a network of cords going Festival to flourish. from one place to another, bringing life, giving water, feeding the land. In Noongar language and life, the word bilya begins at bily, meaning navel or belly button, becoming bilya the cord of life. Without rivers what would we have? As we rest beside it and ponder upon its continual nourishing we connect deeper to our Acknowledgement developed by Associate Artist Kylie Bracknell with support from Perth Festival's Noongar Advisory Circle (Vivienne Binyarn Hansen, Mitchella Waljin Hutchins, existence and the true meaning of bilya. Carol Innes, Barry McGuire, Richard Walley OAM & Roma Yibiyung Winmar) – Roma Yibiyung Winmar and Kylie Bracknell [Kaarljilba Kaardn] 1 HON. MARK MCGOWAN MLA PROF. AMIT CHAKMA TIM UNGAR PREMIER OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA VICE CHANCELLOR, CHAIR, PERTH FESTIVAL Wyld Jess Image: UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA Here in Perth, the blessing of living in such an isolated city has never been more palpable, nor It is my pleasure to welcome you to Perth Perth Festival is a cherished annual highlight We are thrilled to be working with so many more appreciated. Perth Festival 2021 is a love song to this place – to its people, its artists, its Festival’s 2021 program celebrating the very of our University. Each year, we offer this wonderful Western Australians on Perth best of Western Australian culture. thrilling three-week showcase of artistic Festival 2021. stories, its river. excellence for people to enjoy, as summer The Festival is a keystone annual event Our last Festival ended on such a high note winds down and our academic year begins. Around our theme of Bilya, the program light and music spectacular built around Slow Burn, Together and Rachael Dease that holds a special place in the hearts of before everybody’s world changed. We brims with Western Australian works that an immersive projection experience with Hymns for End Times, alongside the Western Australians. It showcases all that is The Festival, founded from The University of hope this Festival will be a beacon to assist celebrate our community and the inner called Bilya Beneath – one for all the work of global-local superstar Tim Minchin special about our State and our incredible Western Australia’s summer school program recovery and boost community confidence and outer journeys we have all taken family to enjoy over 24 nights throughout with a special concert presentation of his arts scene. in 1953, is a major element in our deep and after the immense challenges of 2020. since our 2020 Festival closed so joyously the Festival. Other family friendly abiding engagement with our community. new album Apart / Together. On behalf of the people of Western The Festival team is committed to last summer. offerings include Barking Gecko’s Like the University, Perth Festival exists to Australia, the State Government is proud delivering another exceptional event that beautiful new work HOUSE, Freeze Frame Literature & Ideas features not only its serve the people of Western Australia. Whadjuk Noongar custodians call the to support the Festival through Principal celebrates Western Australia’s people, Opera’s The Little Mermaid and Wild weekend literature offering, including Swan River Derbarl Yerrigan. It is deeply Partner Lotterywest, Tourism WA and other Rarely has this purpose seemed more apt our place and our stories in a safe and Things – a playful takeover of Perth Zoo. guest authors streamed in from across State agencies. than after the challenges so many people welcoming environment. entwined with the creation story of the globe, but also a wonderful addition have faced over the past year. By focusing this place through the presence of the We have works along the banks of the with A Day of Ideas in the Perth Concert The Festival makes a big impact by Our priority in the coming year is to on local artists and companies, Perth Wargl, the embodiment of all fresh water Swan that speak to many histories – the Hall led by a multitude of Noongar voices. enhancing wellbeing and belonging support WA artists and companies by Festival 2021 is investing in its capacity to sources. This is the first and pre-eminent multi-site work Witness Stand that through the many special experiences that investing in their talent, ideas and ability share stories with fellow Western Australians story of our river, but a river runs stretches from Guildford to Wadjemup In our Visual Arts program we have people share together. It also creates jobs, to tell stories that affect how we think and and boost social wellbeing through the through us all – histories and bloodlines (Rottnest), BESIDE at Peninsula Farm in broadened our family of featured galleries improves skills and fosters innovation in our feel about ourselves, each other and our unifying power of art. entwined – leaving memories and Maylands and The Cherry Orchard at to best reflect the diversity and range of creative industries. place in the world. sediments everywhere. Sunset in Dalkeith. visual art expression in this city. I am delighted that the Festival is celebrating The 2021 program promises to be an I offer huge thanks to our government its 2021 theme of Bilya (river) here on Just as the river is a source of revival, Our commitment to Indigenous-led art Similarly, our Connect programs continue outstanding platform for sharing the stories partners, corporate sponsors, donors and Whadjuk Noongar country. I invite you to play and reflection, the 2021 program continues in a vast array of projects, to stretch and celebrate lifelong learning of Western Australia, particularly Noongar volunteers who make such a major positive visit our beautiful campus on the banks of is both celebratory and contemplative, including Galup at Lake Monger, Koort and the connection between our artists and other Indigenous stories. impact on Western Australian lives through the Derbarl Yerrigan to see Olga Cironis’ focusing on local brilliance that would at Government House Gardens and and our audiences. the Festival. Just as many of us have been discovering exhibition at the Lawrence Wilson Art thrill audiences anywhere in the world. Fist of Fury Noongar Daa – a Noongar Like a river, Perth Festival is ever-flowing, our State’s backyard by holidaying at home, Gallery and Lotterywest Films under the We are excited by our opportunity to Part of this local brilliance is reflected language dub of Bruce Lee’s iconic film. ever-moving forward. It is a gift to, for Perth Festival 2021 invites us to experience stars at UWA Somerville. showcase work made here in our State in the huge number of commissions It’s a joy to celebrate the work of local our special part of the world through and look forward to sharing many special, featured – ten works for the stage, four and by the people of Perth, and we look I congratulate Artistic Director Iain Grandage independent artists including Festival the refreshing perspective of art. Your uniquely WA experiences with you music compositions and over 30 new forward to sharing it with you. and his team on the 2021 program, and look favourites The Last Great Hunt with patronage will go a long way in supporting throughout the 2021 Festival season. works from visual artists. forward to seeing as many of you as possible our WA artists, venues and businesses and Whistleblower, Jay Emmanuel with throughout the Festival season. IAIN GRANDAGE will help boost local jobs and the economy. Our City of Lights moves to Perth Children of the Sea, Mararo Wangai Cultural Centre and features a sound, with Black Brass, Emma Fishwick with ARTISTIC DIRECTOR 2 3 GETTING STARTED CONTENTS BOOK YOUR TICKETS BECOME A FRIEND OF WELCOME LITERATURE & IDEAS We have three easy ways to book your tickets. THE FESTIVAL 2 Welcomes Online perthfestival.com.au 47 A Day of Ideas Phone 08 6488 5555 Sign up to be a Friend and you’ll join like-minded arts lovers in 4 Getting Started 48 Literature Weekend in the City supporting the Festival and securing some great deals. Friends In Person Over the counter at Octagon Theatre, UWA 6 City of Lights 50 Literature in Joondalup & Fremantle or at His Majesty’s Theatre, State Theatre Centre score discounts and invitations to special events, but most of WA and Subiaco Arts Centre. importantly being a Friend means you can book your Festival tickets before they go on sale to the rest of the public. In a year when PERFORMANCE FILM See p88 for full booking details. It’s worth noting that capacity in capacities are limited, that’s worth the price of the membership 12 Witness Stand 10 Fist of Fury Noongar Daa many venues is more limited than usual. So get in early to secure alone. Become a Friend for just $90. See perthfestival.com.au for 14 Whistleblower your place! all the details. 51 Lotterywest Films 16 HOUSE 58 The Other Film Festival HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? 18 Archives of Humanity ACCESS FOR EVERYONE 20 The Cherry Orchard VISUAL ARTS Good news. We listened to your feedback and have removed all 59 Songlines We want as many people as possible to experience Perth Festival. 22 BESIDE transaction fees if you buy your tickets directly from us! Access symbols on individual event pages give you an idea of what 61 Everything is True performances will suit you best.