The Brisbane Festival provides us with 22 days of opportunities for fun and frivolity, with an eye on the world that’ll be watching the Olympics in 2032.

Louise Bezzina, the outgoing Festival Artistic Director, and Festival CEO Charlie Cush invited the Arts Minister, John-Paul Langbroek, and Vicki Howard, Civic Cabinet Chair for Community and the Arts, to fly the flag on the day the Brisbane Festival opens.

“The Brisbane Festival is now the largest international arts festival in Australia”, Louise said.

“Brisbane was previously a country town,” said John-Paul Landbroek, Minister for the Arts in the Queensland LNP government.

“Now, leading up to LA in 2028 and Brisbane in 2032, it is transforming”, he said.

He thanked Louise Bazzina, who is organising her 6th and last Brisbane Festival, with Festival CEO Charlie Cush, and wished her well in the future.

“Both the number of attendees and revenue have increased under Louise’s guidance. That provides a great by-line for her on her departure”, he said.

The Minister called our attention to the installation on the Kangaroo Point bridge and the other bridges, and acknowledged the work of the internationally recognised duo “Craig and Karl”, both Brisbane boys.

Figure 1: The team from “Gatsby at the Greenlight” with the Kangaroo Point Bridge installation in the background

“We have been working closely with the BCC,” the Minister said.

Councillor Vicki Howard, representing the BCC, said, “The Brisbane Festival is the jewel of festivals. There is a lot to see and do in Brisbane over the next 27 days. ”

The visually inclined can delight in the work of the famous duo, Craig and Karl (Craig Redman and Karl Meier). See: https://www.craigandkarl.com/ They bring their signature pop art colour scheme to the bridges of Brisbane. They’ve installations in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, New York’s Time Square, and a nine-hole mini golf course at London’s Canary Wharf. Now their colours are making Brisbane pop.

The musically and theatre inclined will revel in “Gatsby at the Green Light”. See: https://www.brisbanefestival.com.au/events/gatsby-at-the-green-light to book.

Craig Illot (a different Craig) is Director and Co-Producer of the show at the refurbished “Twelfth Night Theatre” in Bowen Hills.

“The cabaret, variety show is the first in the new theatre”, he said.

An energetic and talented crew meld 1920s excess with the 2025 vibe. For an idea of what you are in for,  see this review of “Gatsby at the Green Light” when it ran at the Sydney Opera House in March. https://dancemagazine.com.au/2024/02/gatsby-at-the-green-light-the-ultimate-summer-soiree-at-sydney-opera-house/

Images by Kerry McGovern –  “Gatsby at the Greenlight” team – The “Gatsby at the Green Light” runs at Twelfth Night until 28th September.

The Brisbane Festival website has lots to keep you scrolling. Go there.   https://www.brisbanefestival.com.au/

Kerry McGovern