Most dancers know him as the man who steered Sydney Dance Company in the year following Tanya Liedtke’s death. But Noel has had an astonishing career, including technical director for the English National Opera and Opera Australia, executive director of Bazmark Productions (with Baz Lurhmann) and the $15m sell-out production of Wagner’s ‘Ring Cycle’ for Adelaide Festival. He is now artistic director of the Brisbane Festival.
How long does it take to put together a festival?
Brisbane Festival is an annual event, so it takes 12 months. However, when planning a cycle each Festival overlaps the next, so you can have 18 months to put a festival together.
Should a festival be an opportunity for local audiences to see rarely seen overseas companies or should it promote the local scene?
Ideally a festival should be an opportunity for the public to see good international companies and also promote local artists. I think festivals in Australia have changed over the years. At one time there was an enormous amount of overseas content – and not always the best – but in recent years festivals have been promoting more local artists and creating new work for Australian companies. I hope this is where the future of Australian festivals is headed, but there should always be a mix of the best of overseas and local talent.
What about risk-taking works, or works that would not normally be commercially viable?
Each of the major cities in Australia has strong arts organisations that give the public a diversity of work; however, a festival needs to bring high-risk work and work that is not commercially viable. This adds to the vibrancy of the arts scene in each city and gives the public an opportunity to see works that they would not normally see through their regular arts organisations.
Do you have a wish list of artists you would like to present?
Yes, one always has a wish list of artists one wants to present, but availability and schedules always present difficulties. So it’s always a delight when all the stars align. One example of an event that took two years of planning is our new Santos City of Lights show. This will be the first laser light art show of its kind in Australia and will present a choreographed spectacle that will see lights dance to a symphonic score every night during the Festival. The creative genius behind this major project, John Rayment, is one of the most respected lighting designers in the world.
Have you introduced any new aspects to the Brisbane Festival?
I think by nature festivals lend themselves to change on a regular basis. This year we will present four
commissioned pieces as well as five Australian premieres. Since I came on board in 2010, I have added two major
new elements to the Festival: QUT Festival Theatre, an atmospheric outdoor amphitheatre created specifically to host theatre and dance productions, which proved extremely popular, and Santos City of Lights. This year I have also expanded the Festival’s fringe program, Under the Radar. Performers will now take to the streets and grab attention throughout various Festival hubs and an alleyway bar and arts space “Out the Back” will be created, complete with stages and DJs.
If I was an artist wanting to be in the Festival, how I do I get you to notice me?
Performing is always the best way, or having good creative ideas. A festival director is never short of people wanting to be part of their event. The difficulty is always in choosing which ones.
What is the most difficult thing about running a festival? How does it compare with other major events you have been involved in?
Having spent a lot of time working with arts companies in opera, dance and events, the challenging thing about a festival is that it covers all the art forms. You have to be able to adapt to deal with multiple issues at one time. A major challenge is attempting to get the balance of the Festival correct so the audience on the whole has an enjoyable experience. The concentration of time in producing 60 shows over a three-week period with 250 performances is unlike anything I’ve been involved with before.
What is the easiest?
Working in the arts is never easy, the trick is making it look easy and what makes life enjoyable in Brisbane
is the amazing team of people I get to work with.
Where will you be on opening night?
On opening night I will be at Sunsuper Riverfire and then watching a performance of Out of Context – for Pina by theBelgian dance company Les Ballets Cde la B.
