Being away from Edinburgh for the summer was a joy because I got to miss the crowds, the traffic, the tourists but of course, I missed the festival season completely. That means no endless number of shows, no exploring random pop ups after work and no staying out until who knows when for the sake of the festival.
Thankfully I was around for Brisbane's very own festival in September, so that made up for it. The festival have acts come from all over the world to perform, a couple of which had played in Edinburgh's Fringe earlier in the summer. I felt like I wanted to see as much as possible but sadly, the prices of some of the shows and a backpackers budget just didn't quite add up.
When I saw there was the chance to volunteer with the festival naturally I had to apply. I've helped out at events and festivals before and they're always so much fun. The chance to be involved with Brisbane's festival was great because there were a few added bonuses for being part of the crew (free show tickets anyone), which meant I got to go and see more shows than I thought I could afford.
The festival is really well thought out with different areas of Brisbane being associated with different show themes. For example more classical shows like the opera and dance would be found in the QPAC area, where as the more edgy and up and coming artists could be found at the Theatre Republic or the Tivoli. There were so many shows to choose from that I'm not sure how anyone could decide what they wanted to go and watch; I know I struggled to be selective.
One of the most amazing events was on the opening weekend of the festival. In Bowen Hill on King Street, the festival presented Qweens on King. This was the opening for the 29th annual Pride Festival and it was truly one of the most amazing ways to open. After Australia becoming the 26th country to legalise gay marriage last December, the festival put on the wedding of a lifetime for eight same sex couples. They tied the knot and shared their wonderful individual story with Brisbane in a beautiful (if slightly rainy) garden party, followed by an amazing party that lasted in to the early hours.
One of the best shifts I did at the festival was working in the House of Mirrors. This is a maze built with 40 tonnes of steel and 15 tonnes of mirror, designed by Australian installation artists Christian Wagstaff and Keith Courtney. The kaleidoscope maze with it's hidden entrances has you holding out your hands and moving at a slow pace. Of course I went through the maze with my brother before I worked the shift and it was super fun trying to get out. It didn't take us too long so we wandered back inside to take loads more photos.
Whilst being the one working however it is great fun to see everyone enjoying the maze. As I stood at the centre point, there were many people that circled back so many times, I began to wonder if they would ever get out. I got to talk to a lot of people, have a laugh and on some occasions help them out of the maze.
One of the best things about taking a chance and helping out with one thing, is that it will sometimes lead on to something else. That happened for me in the form of Alice Oswald's Memorial. Alice Oswald's Memorial strips down Homer's Iliad to show the 215 mortal dead soldiers, rather than the Gods and heroes. This is told on stage by Helen Morse in a beautiful stage production with a chorus of 215 people. (Give you a hint - I was one of those 215). The 215 become the complete action and set with so much happening around Helen, it is a truly amazing piece of work. I have never been a part of anything quite like this before and it was a true honour to get to be a part of it. This show opened the festival on opening weekend, so again to be a part of it was something I will never forget.
I wish I could be around to help out with the festival again next year, but sadly by then my visa will have run out and I'll be back in the homeland. Brisbane always seems to have something happening though so now on to the next festival - Oktoberfest!
Thankfully I was around for Brisbane's very own festival in September, so that made up for it. The festival have acts come from all over the world to perform, a couple of which had played in Edinburgh's Fringe earlier in the summer. I felt like I wanted to see as much as possible but sadly, the prices of some of the shows and a backpackers budget just didn't quite add up.
When I saw there was the chance to volunteer with the festival naturally I had to apply. I've helped out at events and festivals before and they're always so much fun. The chance to be involved with Brisbane's festival was great because there were a few added bonuses for being part of the crew (free show tickets anyone), which meant I got to go and see more shows than I thought I could afford.The festival is really well thought out with different areas of Brisbane being associated with different show themes. For example more classical shows like the opera and dance would be found in the QPAC area, where as the more edgy and up and coming artists could be found at the Theatre Republic or the Tivoli. There were so many shows to choose from that I'm not sure how anyone could decide what they wanted to go and watch; I know I struggled to be selective.
One of the most amazing events was on the opening weekend of the festival. In Bowen Hill on King Street, the festival presented Qweens on King. This was the opening for the 29th annual Pride Festival and it was truly one of the most amazing ways to open. After Australia becoming the 26th country to legalise gay marriage last December, the festival put on the wedding of a lifetime for eight same sex couples. They tied the knot and shared their wonderful individual story with Brisbane in a beautiful (if slightly rainy) garden party, followed by an amazing party that lasted in to the early hours.
One of the best shifts I did at the festival was working in the House of Mirrors. This is a maze built with 40 tonnes of steel and 15 tonnes of mirror, designed by Australian installation artists Christian Wagstaff and Keith Courtney. The kaleidoscope maze with it's hidden entrances has you holding out your hands and moving at a slow pace. Of course I went through the maze with my brother before I worked the shift and it was super fun trying to get out. It didn't take us too long so we wandered back inside to take loads more photos.Whilst being the one working however it is great fun to see everyone enjoying the maze. As I stood at the centre point, there were many people that circled back so many times, I began to wonder if they would ever get out. I got to talk to a lot of people, have a laugh and on some occasions help them out of the maze.
One of the best things about taking a chance and helping out with one thing, is that it will sometimes lead on to something else. That happened for me in the form of Alice Oswald's Memorial. Alice Oswald's Memorial strips down Homer's Iliad to show the 215 mortal dead soldiers, rather than the Gods and heroes. This is told on stage by Helen Morse in a beautiful stage production with a chorus of 215 people. (Give you a hint - I was one of those 215). The 215 become the complete action and set with so much happening around Helen, it is a truly amazing piece of work. I have never been a part of anything quite like this before and it was a true honour to get to be a part of it. This show opened the festival on opening weekend, so again to be a part of it was something I will never forget.
I wish I could be around to help out with the festival again next year, but sadly by then my visa will have run out and I'll be back in the homeland. Brisbane always seems to have something happening though so now on to the next festival - Oktoberfest!
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