Report to the Community 2010 | Page 11

Objectives and Outcomes Melbourne’s Festival In 2010 the Festival’s prime objective was to encourage as many people as possible to enjoy ‘their Festival’; establishing it as an event for everyone, not just a few. Enthusiastic crowds from Melbourne, regional Victoria, Australia and beyond took great pleasure in Brett Sheehy’s second Festival program. Throughout the Festival, thousands upon thousands of festival goers attended performances and exhibitions around the city, enjoying world-class venues such as the Arts Centre, Malthouse Theatre and the Melbourne Recital Centre. Crowds converged on Alexandra Gardens to marvel at the dazzling aerial spectacular K@osmos at “ ... an unforgettable evening.” the FOXTEL Festival Opening and The Australian on Seven Songs To Leave Behind capacity audiences were regularly seen waiting to enter the Forum to enjoy sell out performances at the “ ... true definition of spectacle”. Beck’s Festival Bar. Faster Louder on Seven Songs To Leave Behind The Festival culminated with the centrepiece event of 2010, the epic production Seven Songs to Leave Behind. A monumental musical undertaking featuring Australian and international performers played to an audience of nearly 9000. In a Festival first, this performance was filmed and screened as a world premiere television event on STVDIO. “The concert wasn”t just packed with people... it was packed with high points.” Faster Louder on Seven Songs To Leave Behind Engage with regional audiences The Festival has a long tradition of regional engagement. In 2010 its reach was extended: in March the Festival co-presented the Yea Autumn Festival in the middle of the firezone region, for all those affected by Back Saturday; the Festival’s coproduction with CCP An American Index of the Hidden and Unfamiliar toured extensively; and the Festival presented Samuel Beckett’s First Love by the internationally acclaimed Gare St Lazare Players of Ireland at The Capital – Bendigo’s Performing Arts Centre, Warrnambool Entertainment Centre and West Gippsland Arts Centre. Seven Songs to Leave Behind photo: Andrew Hobbs Melbourne Festival – Annual Report 2010 Page 11