This is your final year as artistic director of Brisbane Festival, what’s the first thing you’re plannning to do after the event wraps up on September 27?
I’ll put my feet up and enjoy the downtime before beginning my next chapter, whatever it may be …
Who have you been most excited to see in the festival audience?
First-time festivalgoers. It’s a sheer joy to hear someone’s eyes have been opened through art.
What’s the best thing about being you right now?
I get to sit back and watch the public respond to the festival. I always love hanging around the foyers to hear what people have to say about the performance. Good or bad, I’m not fazed, as long as what they’ve just seen sparks discussion.
You’ve been credited with bringing a number of great new initiatives to the festival – which are you most proud of?
Probably the City of Lights show. It came at an important time for Brisbane, just after the 2011 floods and I felt it really helped regain people’s trust in the river. It was so special seeing hundreds of thousands of people flock back to it, when just a few months earlier it had caused so much heartache.
Over the past four years, when you’ve felt moments of stress and utter exhaustion, what’s motivated you to get out of bed and keep going?
The wonderful and inspiring people I work with.
What’s been your biggest challenge in the role?
Getting Brisbane to stay up late!
We heard it was a childhood viewing of Don Giovanni that stoked your passion for the arts; were you always sure you wanted to pursue it as a career, or did your eyes ever wander?
I never faltered; I always knew the arts was where I wanted to be.
What were your initial hopes and dreams for the festival when you took over the position back in 2010?
To make the city aware it had an annual arts festival and to give the people a sense of ownership over it. I also wanted to program shows that audiences might otherwise not have the chance to see.
… and do you feel you’ve achieved these?
Absolutely. I’m overwhelmed by the amount of people I see at the festival hotspots each day. The Telstra Spiegeltent Garden Bar has been packed every night and there’s a fantastic buzz at Theatre Republic over at QUT Kelvin Grove too. I’m also thrilled to have brought some world-class performances to the city. This year, we have the exclusive Australian premiere season of Philip Glass’ latest opera The Perfect American and Brisbane is only the third city in the world to see it.
The 2014 festival has already delighted and enthralled thousands of locals and visitors; what standouts are left to see this year?
Tonight, Thursday September 18, 대홍수Deluge, a brand new show worked by Motherboard Productions will open. It’s inspired by the Brisbane floods and it’s going to be extremely intense and moving. Another world premiere production I’m looking forward to is Monkey … Journey to the West, which opens next Thursday and is based on the classic Monkey Magic. It’s been created by two Australian theatre greats, Kim Carpenter and John Bell, so I think Monkey and Pigsy are about to win over a whole new generation of fans. On the same night, Black Diggers is also opening. It received five-star reviews down south and I have no doubt it will do the same here.
What are your essentials for happiness?
A good book, great company and robust debate.
How do you personally define success?
Happiness.
Do you have any words of wisdom to share?
Don’t be afraid to dream big. Reach for the stars in whatever you do.
What’s one question you wish we asked?
I believe you should never stop questioning…
… and how would you have answered it?
I’m a curious person and there are never enough questions.
Only a Brisbane local would know … Brisbane is one of the best places to live right now – we’re on a creative cusp and have some incredible artistic companies leading the way, like Circa, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, La Boite Theatre Company and OperaQ.
What have been some key festival highlights for you personally?
Bringing together Expressions Dance Company, Dancenorth and Queensland Ballet in Dance Energy; presenting the world’s greatest pianist Evgeny Kissin for the first time in Australia; and of course Freeze Frame – a world premiere collaboration with Debbie Allen.
What’s next on the agenda for you?
I’m not quite sure yet, I have to survive this festival first!
Any words of advice for your successor, David Berthold?
Have fun and enjoy the ride!
FAVOURITE WEEKEND SPOT TO:
Perk up … Tartufo, Fortitude Valley.
Relax … Palace Barracks Cinemas, Petrie Terrace.
Catch up … The Gunshop Cafe, West End.
Be inspired … Gallery of Modern Art, South Bank.
