Review: Anywhere Festival Fish Lane Opening Night Takeover
Picture: Paul Osuch, Festival Founder and Director (Credit: Creative Futures Photography)
May is one of my favourite times of year in Brisbane—in particular because it’s ‘Anywhere Month’!
The 2023 Anywhere Festival opening, was a great start to this year’s festival, as the Fish Lane Arts Precinct ‘takeover’ gave the crowd a tantalising glimpse of some of the acts on offer this year. The various MC’s had the opportunity to spruik shows that include Queen and Friend and the much-anticipated 34 Scenes About the Weather.
And for those of us lucky enough to have pre-booked tickets for the opening celebration, there was also the chance to chat with established artists (can’t wait to see Madcouch’s Road to BossaNovaVille show at Australian Modern) and to hear more about works from rising stars (the Legacy Ensemble 13: The Play sounds as if it’s another Anywhere Festival ‘must see’). It also reminded me that I’d missed out on booking to see some already sold-out shows—so congratulations if you have booked to see one of the already sold out shows, including Screech Arts’ Blind in the Rabbit Hole.
Picture: Taking over Fish Lane (Credit: Creative Futures Photography).
Picture: Häns on Experience, Fish Lane (Credit: Creative Futures Photography)
Picture: Choices, choices in the 2023 Anywhere Festival program (credit: Creative Futures Photography)
Picture: Spruiking Incendia (Credit: Creative Futures Photography)
Picture: Eco-Warrior: A Climate Cabaret, against the backdrop of fabulous new Fish Lane street art (Credit: Creative Futures Photography).
Picture: Fish Lane street theatre (Credit: Creative Futures Photography)
The one night only activation of the laneway—against the backdrop of some fantastic street art and illuminated by light from the bustling restaurants and bars—included music, dance, interactive theatre, and thought-provoking snapshots from some of the many shows now taking place across Brisbane.
Pop-up performances included work by A Drop Too Many, Incendia, I’m Not Entirely Here, and Eco-Warrior: A Climate Cabaret. And roving performers offered glimpses of what audiences might expect in shows—including from the absolutely in character Häns on Experience cast.
The evening was a great start to the 2023 Festival. Chookas to the artists and producers—and congratulations again to the generous donors who are together giving Brisbane a festival that brings to life the many nooks and crannies across Brisbane. So much choice, and so many great artists and spaces to enjoy in the 2023 Anywhere Festivals in Brisbane (4-21 May) and in Moreton Bay (13 May-4 June).
The reviewer attended the Opening Fish Lane Art Precinct Takeover (6pm, Thursday 4 May, 2023).
Picture: A Drop Too Many, Fish Lane (Credit: Creative Futures Photography)