As usual, the program for Wonderland Festival reads like a delicious pick-and-mix bag of lollies (minus the weird duds that you palm off to your dad, of course). International heavyweights and interstate guests have been popped alongside local legends and existing festival faves, making for an irresistible smorgasbord of talent on display. From comedy to burlesque and from circus to cabaret, music, art and everything in between, no creative stone has been left unturned. While the line-up celebrates diversity, each act is united by the common theme of irreverence. Wonderland Festival doesn’t just display rowdiness – it encourages it.
This year’s highlights include one-man orchestra Tom Thum and bohemian singer-songwriter Jamie MacDowell joining forces for a wild musical mash-up, as well as professional laugh-maker Arj Barker bringing his new show Organic to our shores. Award-winning collaborators Benjamin Schostakowski and Emily Burton will be debuting their electric comedy Elizabeth I, while acclaimed songstress Emma Dean gets mischievous with her Broken Romantics show. Burlesque is fresh on the menu with Jacqueline Furey’s Würst striptease revue, Bombshell Burlesque’s titillating Viva BrisVegas, plus festival veterans Vanguard Burlesque bringing a bevy of the country’s most captivating showgirls. The art of circus is also thoroughly represented in the festival, with Company 2, Flipside Circus, Vulcana Women’s Circus, Common Thread Circus and GUSH all presenting jaw-dropping works.
Wonderland Festival is tumbling into Brisbane Powerhouse from November 23 to December 3 – you can check out the full tantalising program and book tickets here.
