A spectacular line-up of internationally celebrated performers, musicians and creative minds will shine their light in Penrith as part of this year’s Real Festival at the Nepean River from 1 – 2 November 2019.
Headlining the event is a new production by Spanish director Younes Bachir and Australian stunt choreography company Strings Attached. All That We Are (Todo lo que Somos) has been created especially for Real Festival and will have its world premiere at the event.
Director Bachir said the 20-minute performance incorporates soaring aerial feats to highlight the strength of individuals and the potential of humankind to create something truly magical. “All That We Are is an opportunity, as a species, to reflect on how we are passing through this world together as humans, yet separated as individuals by our belief and idealism,” said Bachir.
More than 30 volunteers from Penrith and surrounding local areas are performing alongside professional aerialists in the show. Lead choreographer Leeanne Litton said the volunteers add an important element to the performance.
“All That We Are is a cultural inclusive project to share the strength of the universal language of theatre with people of all walks of life and to experience the power it has to dissolve barriers and build deep bonds with those of difference,” said Litton.
Live music from talented musicians provide the soundtrack to this year’s event. Canadian singer-songwriter Alysha Brilla is bringing her inspiring blend of Indian and East African sounds to the music stage as part of her Australian tour.
Also performing on Real’s music stage is Australian indie-folk band The Tipsy Scholars and Country and Blues duo Sweet Jelly Rolls; while one-man band Uptown Brown will sing, play and swing his way across the Festival site with his curious mix of jazz and blues.
Have your phones ready for some serious insta-worthy snaps as the Festival transforms the Penrith riverbank with a dazzling collection of interactive and illuminated artworks that come to life after dark and entice audiences to play, move, listen and learn in a magical night time adventure.
The centrepiece is a curated exhibition of contemporary artworks from Aboriginal artists across Australia. The Deerubbin Gallery features artistic collaborations which celebrate Aboriginal culture in a modern, bright and bold way.
Red Air is a touring art installation from artists in the Pilbara Region of Western Australia which inflates and illuminates; and Breath Trees is a collaboration between 10 Aboriginal artists from South Australia and shines and sparkles as the sun goes down.
The fragility of native wildlife and the impact of humans on their habitats is represented in two artworks that are hard to miss; a giant (but ever-so-sweet) Bilby and a real-time interactive projection system of Australian animals by Stalker Theatre.
Other gallery highlights include a four-metre tall illuminated puppet, a live mural painting by Shannon Boyd, glowing jellyfish that hang from trees and a creative art installation which transforms the riverbank into colourful blanket of light reeds.
The 2019 Real Festival runs 1 – 2 November. For more information, and full program, visit: www.realfestival.com.au for details.
Image: Breath Trees – courtesy of Real Festival