Blue Mountains residents will get the chance to experience a performance by one of Australia’s iconic outdoor theatre companies next month.
Award-winning company Strange Fruit will perform its centrepiece work, The Spheres, as part of the REAL Festival on the banks of the Nepean River at Penrith on November 3 and 4.
Strange Fruit creative director, Phillip Gleeson, said he was looking forward to bringing the the work to the western Sydney and Blue Mountains region.
“Having grown up in the western suburbs of Sydney at Green Valley I personally look forward to presenting our first ever Strange Fruit performance west of the Sydney CBD,” he said.
“The general public of Penrith, and their welcome guests, will be transformed and hypnotised by our unique brand of theatre; watch as performers bend and sway to impossible angles engaging the audience in absolute fascination. I hope to see you all there.”
Featuring an original soundtrack composed by John Phillips of My Friend the Chocolate Cake, The Spheres is described as taking audiences on a “whimsical and poetic journey through the cosmos”.
“Giant sculptural orbs, illuminated by an ever shifting kaleidoscope of colours give way to a world of celestial wonder… The spheres transform from atom, to egg, to body to planet, taking us from the everyday to a landscape of mythical wonder.”
When The Spheres was performed in Melbourne, The Age wrote: “…everybody looks up at the human bodies swaying in huge spheres….each night their crowds have grown enormously”.
Since forming in 1994, Strange Fruit has established itself as a leading outdoor theatre company, having performed at more than 500 international festivals and events, in over 55 countries. Strange Fruit’s signature is its remarkable performance style fusing theatre, dance and circus using five metre, flexible poles.
The REAL (river, environment, art and lifestyle) Festival is a free annual event celebrating the Nepean River with a program of activities and entertainment for all ages. Penrith mayor John Thain said this year’s expanded program gives people even more opportunities to explore and enjoy the Nepean River over the weekend of November 3-4.
“There’s free kayaking and boat cruises if you’re keen to get on the water, thrilling on-water action including jet-packing demonstrations, dragon boat races and a spectacular fire jet display each night from 7.30pm.”
Performances of The Spheres at Tench Reserve will start at 8.30pm on November 3, and 7.45pm and 9.15pm on November 4.
For more details visit: www.realfestival.com.au.
