KING TIDE FOR FESTIVAL AFTER COVETED AWARD WIN
BLEACH* Festival expects to attract greater visitor numbers next year on the back of its Helpmann Award win.
Last week’s win was the first time a Gold Coast entrant has won the coveted award, considered the equivalent of an American Tony or British Olivier Award.
Creative director Louise Bezzina said the gong was a milestone for the annual arts festival and would attract crowds from outside the Gold Coast.
“What it means is the festival is starting to grow national profile, which means we can expect greater attendance form people outside Gold Coast, particularly in art circles,” she said.
“I think there is a real curiosity for what we’re doing and people are curious about the changing landscape of the Gold Coast as a whole.
“It will have a massive impact for us. The industry can be very Sydney and Melbourne centric so you can only imagine how ecstatic we were to win.”
Bleach* won the award for Best Visual or Physical Theatre Production for their water-based production Tide. It was received in conjunction with contemporary dance company The Farm.
Tide was up against Strut & Fret, responsible for hit show Blanc de Blanc, internationally touring performer Justin Shoulder and world music light show spectacle White Spirit.
Tide sees two “office workers”, Gavin Webber and Joshua Thomson, acting out a scene for 48 hours straight in the Currumbin Estuary.
Regardless of weather, supplies and the rising tide, the men must stay there in character.
They relied on strangers to swim or paddle out to provide them with food and supplies.
Bleach* runs April 17-28 next year.