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Australian stars of screen and stage to perform during World Science Festival Brisbane

The Palaszczuk Government has announced an exciting line-up of Australian stars who will be performing during World Science Festival Brisbane next month, in what will be an Australian first event.

Minister for Science and Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said a theoretical physicist, an international dance troupe, and some of Australia’s stars of the stage and screen will come together for one night only at World Science Festival Brisbane’s world premiere event, Time and the Creative Cosmos, at Queensland Performing Arts Centre.

“This eventwill feature international physicist and World Science Festival co-founder Brian Greene, working with celebrated Australian actor and director Leah Purcell; Aboriginal dancer, actor and star of the ABC’s Black Comedy Steven Oliver; winner of second season The Voice Australia Harrison Craig and Brisbane cabaret singer Alison St Ledger.

“This event is one of the centrepieces of the festival and there is no doubt Queensland audiences will be in for an absolute treat to have performers of this calibre on stage together for one night,” Minister Enoch said.

“The event will deliver an exciting fusion of science and art, presenting the theatricality of scientific concepts on stage with top local and international talent.

“The Palaszczuk Government is proud to support this world-class festival that takes science out of the lab for all ages to enjoy and also recognises the impact science and art have on our world today.

“Now in its fourth big year, the festival continues to push boundaries in exploring all aspects of science, offering inspiring and transformative experiences,” Minister Enoch said.

“With support from the Palaszczuk Government, the Queensland Museum has secured World Science Festival for Queensland through to 2021.”

Time and the Creative Cosmos will also feature New York based dance troupe Pilobolus and is a multimedia work celebrating the human spirit of exploration, discovery, and creativity and there will be only one show on Saturday, 23 March.

Queensland Museum CEO Dr Jim Thompson said the production will take serious science and make it accessible, enjoyable and awe-inspiring for the audience.

“This promises to be a very special event bringing together great minds in science and the arts that will enthral audiences in their quest to uncover the hidden secrets of our cosmos through poetry, dance, song and music,” Dr Thompson said.

With a career spanning more than 30 years and one of Australia’s most eminent cultural figures, Leah Purcell will enthral audiences when she takes to the stage.

A strong, proud Goa, Gunggari, Wakka Wakka Murri woman from Queensland, Leah says she has loved hearing about all the innovation and focus on science coming out of Queensland.

“I’m thrilled to be coming home and working with World Science Festival Brisbane and to be part of what is going to be a wonderful event,” she said.

“I’m also beyond proud and honoured to be reciting the powerful and poignant words of Uncle Jack Davis.”  

 

The show will feature:

International cast

  • Brian Greene - Primary narrator, Internationally acclaimed physicist and Co Founder of World Science Festival
  • Polobolus - Innovative dance troupe from New York

Australian cast

  • Leah Purcell - Narrator (work is from Jack Davis)
  • Steven Oliver - Narrator (works are from Kenneth Slessor and Shakespeare)
  • Harrison Craig - Singer (Hallejuah)
  • Alison St Ledger - Singer (Sound of Silence) 

For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.worldsciencefestival.com.au