Programming Highlights
PROGRAMMING HIGHLIGHTS
With eight world premieres , 17 Australian premieres , 15 Melbourne Festival exclusives and five specially commissioned works , the Festival engaged over 1,000 artists from 23 countries , across more than 30 venues , to create a program that connected with an incredibly diverse audience .
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THEATRE
West End blockbuster 1984 reinvigorated George Orwell ’ s classic book demonstrating that the text is more relevant than ever . Shakespeare ’ s Othello was reimagined with text from Pulitzer Prize winning author Toni Morrison and music from Rokia Traoré in Desdemona . The New York Narratives program brought independent theatre companies from New York and Melbourne together with a collaboration between PS122 and Arts House providing captivating performances . Locally made independent theatre was also represented with The Bacchae from St Martins Youth Theatre and Theatreworks .
DANCE
The world – class Batsheva Dance Company from Israel brought two works to Melbourne , with the retrospective showcase Decadance and the challenging new piece Last Work . Both were performed before sold out State Theatre audiences .
Belgian physical theatre provocateurs Peeping Tom returned to Melbourne Festival with 32 rue Vandenbranden entrancing audiences with stunning physicality . The Melbourne independent dance industry was represented by works from Antony Hamilton with NYX , as well as Outer Urban Projects with Grand DiVisions — a combination of movement , music and spoken word .
MUSIC
Sydney – based DJ duo Flight Facilities collaborated with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in a one night only concert for 12,000 at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl . UK film composer Clint Mansell and folk songstress Laura Marling also thrilled sold out audiences . The 40th anniversary of Patti Smith ’ s seminal album Horses was celebrated by rock legends Courtney Barnett , Jen Cloher , Adalita and Gareth Liddiard .
The Foxtel Festival Hub had nine sold-out performances and featured a diverse range of contemporary music acts from around the world including The Fall , The Field , The Basics , Rhye , Katie Noonan and Kiasmos .
The Haydn for Everyone series completed the ambitious aim of playing all 68 of Joseph Haydn ’ s string quartets over three years , including intimate performances in some of Melbourne ’ s landmark architecturallydesigned homes .
FAMILY
The 2015 program once again featured accessible and engaging shows for families with the Melbourne Festival co-commission The Rabbits bringing to life the iconic picture book from John Marsden and Shaun Tan for a sold – out season . Another performance based on a book adaptation was Masquerade , taking audiences on an epic journey and wowing theatre goers from ages nine to ninety . For the first time in recent history Melbourne Festival presented a show in Geelong with Monkey … Journey to the West rebooting the classic cult television classic Monkey Magic on stage at the Geelong Performing Arts Centre .