Stars arrive in Brisbane ahead of world premiere

The stars have aligned in Brisbane ahead of tomorrow’s world premiere of World Science Festival Brisbane’s event Time and the Creative Cosmos.

Minister for Science and Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch today met with two of Australia’s big names in the performing arts space – Australian performer, director and producer Leah Purcell and Brisbane cabaret performer Alison St Ledger – who are appearing tomorrow, for one night only, at Queensland Performing Arts Centre.

“It is fantastic to have Leah and Alison here for tomorrow night’s performance, which is the signature event for this year’s World Science Festival Brisbane,” she said.

“The performance, Time and the Creative Cosmos, will also feature international physicist and World Science Festival co-founder Professor Brian Greene, the New York based dance troupe Pilobolus, Aboriginal dancer, actor and star of the ABC’s Black Comedy Steven Oliver and winner of second season The Voice Australia Harrison Craig.

“This is an exciting production that explores scientific concepts on stage in a thrilling fusion of science and art.

“World Science Festival Brisbane continues to push boundaries in connecting Queenslanders to science and delivering inspiring and engaging experiences.”

Time and the Creative Cosmos is a multimedia work celebrating the human spirit of exploration, discovery, and creativity with one show only tomorrow night.

With a career spanning more than 30 years and one of Australia’s most eminent cultural figures, Leah Purcell 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.”  

Alison St Ledger said: “I’m so honoured to be part of this wonderful event. It will be on my short list of life’s greatest moments.”

Queensland Museum CEO Dr Jim Thompson said tomorrow night’s 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.

International cast

• Prof Brian Greene: Primary narrator, physicist, World Science Festival co-founder
• Pilobolus: 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 information and to purchase tickets, visit www.worldsciencefestival.com.au

Media contact: 0437 859 987