Brisbane’s sultry summer nights reveal a spectacle of the weird and wonderful as Wonderland Festival erupts at Brisbane Powerhouse for nine nights of decadence and debauchery from 21 November.
Returning for its sixth year, Wonderland Festival celebrates a cavalcade of fearless physical feats, captivating live music, won’t-believe-your-eyes magic and laugh-out-loud comedy, handpicked to surprise and delight.
With a line-up of 30 spectacular events, Wonderland Festival brings together the most talented performers for a unique end-of-year carnival of comedy, burlesque, circus, music, magic and more.
Brisbane Powerhouse Artistic Director Kris Stewart said Wonderland Festival 2019 makes the most of Brisbane’s steamiest of seasons, with a whole-of-venue takeover filled with everything weird and wonderful.
“Over the past five years, we’ve established a wonderful community that loves to come here and play each November,” Mr Stewart said.
“United by a palpable sense of fearlessness and heart with guaranteed glamour and giggles, Wonderland Festival transforms Brisbane Powerhouse into the city’s downtown hub of nightly delights.”
The 2019 program features home-grown favourites alongside interstate guests with a sprinkling of international sensations.
Daring deviant Leather Lungs (Jason Chasland) titillates your unholy soul with his heart-stopping four-octave vocals; Electric Moon reimagines the songs and musical stylings of the iconic Twin Peaks in Fire Walk With Us; and the girls of your dreams – or maybe your nightmares – indulge every one of your subconscious desires in Bombshell Burlesque.
Returning to Wonderland after sold out shows in 2018 are the finely chiselled Head First Acrobats limbering up to steal your hearts and derail your night in Railed; Matt Tarrant will again leave you questioning everything you thought you knew in Unsolved; and fresh from the stage at Las Vegas’s MGM Grand Casino, Christopher Wayne Fully Clothed (sorry ladies) performs a highlight reel of trickery while recounting his story of magic geek to chic.
Ditch your seat for the stage when Die Hard the Movie the Play puts you smack-bang in the middle of the action with only a (toy) gun and white singlet to survive and Jake Moss hands you a paintbrush to create something spectacular at his first ever open studio.
“Wonderland Festival represents everything Brisbane does so well – originality, creativity and hilarity,” Mr Stewart said.
“All shows are united by a palpable theatrical irreverence and we encourage you to bring in a drink (or two) and have a riotous time.”
Wonderland Festival is Brisbane Powerhouse’s most significant celebration of and investment in local artists, with 100 per cent of net box office returned to those creating and delivering the work.
“Wonderland Festival epitomises Brisbane Powerhouse’s commitment to emerging artists and new works, providing a low-risk, safe platform for artists to play, and audiences to take a gamble on something new,” Mr Stewart said.
“It’s Brisbane Powerhouse’s fringe offering, a downtown escape into something a little different and risky. Come for a show, to hang with friends, or just come to enjoy the madness of the whole experience.”
“Our doors are open to everyone; run riot with us for our annual end-of-year celebration!”
Wonderland Festival plays 21 November – 1 December at Brisbane Powerhouse. Tickets on sale now at wonderlandbrisbane.com.au
