Brisbane Festival 2010 kicks off

Brisbane Festival artistic director Noel Staunton recently launched his first festival program at the Plaza in front of the Brisbane Powerhouse, alongside creative director Tony Assness.

The 22-day program, which runs from September 4 to September 25, will bring a heady combination of companies, artists and shows to Brisbane during the city’s festival month.

“I am very excited to present my first Brisbane Festival program. I have been working to secure what I think are some of the most engaging, vibrant and interesting artists," says Staunton.

“I’m proud that we will present five world premiere productions in 2010, seven Queensland premieres and 10 Australian premieres. I’ve made a point of working with many Australian artists this year alongside a select group of international guests."

This includes photographer Douglas Kirkland, who has shot stills for over 160 major films, published numerous books and continuously recreated and redefined the art of portraiture.

Kirkland’s images straddle the line between capturing and exposing the intimate world his subjects inhabit. Brisbane Festival will stage a major retrospective of his work Douglas Kirkland: A life in Pictures at the Gallery of Modern Art.

Brisbane audiences will be the first to view the on-stage show Shanghai Lady Killer when the show makes its international debut at Brisbane Festival 2010.

This new work by Australian filmmaker Tony Ayres and Stalker Theatre Company features Wang Fei, one of China’s leading martial arts film stars.

www.brisbanefestival.com.au