Moments from #RiotTheShow

Inside the Spiegeltent

Ms Panty Bliss

Acrobatics

Balloon legs

The athletic stripper

Man and friend

Audience participation

Lit by smartphone

Ms Panty Bliss; down and personal

That's all folks

Riot

'Riot' is a performance at this year's Sydney Festival. This is an Irish troupe of eleven front house performers and presumably numerous behind scenes technical support. It is a variety show ranging from lewd suggestiveness to political and inspirational messages. They are singers, dancers, gymnasts, drag artists and rappers.

There is a little bit of something for almost everyone (as long as you are an adult). I found the preachiness of some of the elements disruptive to the tempo of the rest of the show but otherwise enjoyed the show.

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The HIV Monologues

(Sydney Fringe Festival)

Four monologues linked by characters is the structure for 'The HIV Monologues'. Limited performances have been staged as part of the Sydney Fringe Festival an independent arts festival staged around Sydney each September.

The four characters are HIV sufferers and their carers and they discuss life with the illness. This is a more entertaining 75 minutes than that synopsis might suggest.

The four performers - Les Asmussen, Daniel Ross, Edward Skaines and Bishanyia Vincent - are to be commended.

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A taste of Vivid

The annual Vivid Sydney festival is underway. The light display is spectacular and well worth a visit into Sydney's CBD even though you have to battle horrendously packed crowds to view the buildings and installations lit by displays. The only aspects of the light display evident from my suburban home are the lights on the Harbour Bridge and a search light display.

This was the view of those lights from my home tonight. The lights on the Bridge changed colour and movement continuously. The search lights fanned around Hollywood or Battle of Britain style.

A night at the festival

Some moments from Briefs: The Second Coming which we attended at the Sydney Festival earlier in the year.

Briefs: The Second Coming

Another offering in the 2017 Sydney Festival.

This ninety minute performance piece is a type of gay Cirque du Soleil. Seven performers present a range of acrobatic, juggling and dance and drag pieces with mime. Briefs: The Second Coming tantalises, teases, shocks and delights in equal measures.

Be open-minded.

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Celia Pacqoula: The Looking Glass

Last night at the Sydney Festival 2017 we enjoyed an hour with Celia Pacquola.

I really like Celia in her television comedies such as Utopia and Rosehaven and also her serious work such as The Beautiful Lie.

In her standup presentation, 'The Looking Glass' Celia revels in explaining her relationships, friendships, loves and life as a contented single.

Very funny.

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Covered

Yana Alana

'Covered' is a performance piece by Yana Alana and her band in the 2017 Sydney Festival in which she sings, performs and quotes musical pieces by other artists.

Bawdy, funny, queer and confronting.

★★★1/2

Festival nights

A balmy Tuesday evening at the 2017 Sydney Festival.

Hyde Park

Festival Village

Vivid Sydney

Some images from Vivid Sydney: Light, Music and Ideas Festival 2016 as I wandered around Sydney city following the theatre last night. The annual light display continues to enchant.

Sydney Harbour Bridge with Luna Park in the distance

Sydney Opera House

Sydney Opera House

Sydney Opera House

Sydney Opera House

Sydney Opera House

Sydney Opera House

Sydney Opera House

Circular Quay

Museum of Contemporary Art

Customs House

Customs House

Martin Place

Vivid

The brilliant annual event that is Vivid Sydney gets underway tomorrow night. This self styled light, music and ideas festival has grown into an event that is almost too large.

(Image: Daniel Boud)

The crowds around the Circular Quay area are so huge, especially late in the week an on weekends, that movement around the displays can be difficult. However, it is such a spectacular display that it is worth battling those crowds at least once in your life.

This year's festival has been extended to 23 days which may help diffuse the crowds; if ever so slightly.

When it came to it....

...I just couldn't be bothered.

Yesterday, a holiday Monday I lazed around the apartment all day.

I knew I had to get ready eventually. Shower and dress properly. I had a ticket for the theatre in the evening. Around 4pm I headed for the shower and then I procrastinated. I wasn't all that enthusiastic about the scheduled play. Its not as if it was a play I had been eager to see. Actually I knew nothing about it. Would I miss the play if I didn't see it?

And then there was the Vivid Light Festival. Last night of the Festival. The crowds would be out in force. Getting to and from the theatre with the masses about would not be fun.

As soon as the procrastination started there was an inevitable outcome. Stuff it. I wouldn't go. A ticket and $70 something down the drain. I do this once every two or three years.

It was back to the lounge room couch.

Turned the television on.

Finita la musica.

Vivid Sydney

It is that time of year again with the Vivid Light, Music and Ideas Festival being staged in Sydney. For those who can attend it concludes this Queen's Birthday holiday Monday evening.

I had a bit of a look last weekend following dinner with Fs who visited from Canberra for the Festival. The crowds are as heavy as ever, especially in sections around Circular Quay. Of the light displays in that sector I thought the lighting of the Customs House building is best. The lighting of the Museum of Contemporary Art is similar to past years. The Opera House effects whilst still clever are not as brilliant to the eye as last year's.

Although I lugged my Canon SLR around with me I ended up only using my iPhone for photos unfortunately with rather limited success.

Here are a few - click on photos to enhance size;

The Opera House viewed from the Overseas Passenger Terminal

Opera House

Customs House

Customs House

Customs House

Customs House

AMP Building (left) Customs House (lower right)

Opera House from the concourse

Opera Bar (below left) and Circular Quay