Wonderland Under the Stars set to dazzle at NAFA COVID Safe
Date published: 31 August 2020
Strand Park will transform into a 1950’s style open-air theatre when Wonderland Spiegeltent’s Wonderland Under the Stars opens next month as part of the North Australian Festival of Arts (NAFA) COVID Safe.
Running across two huge weeks, Wonderland Under the Stars will include performances from international acclaimed Casus Circus with their show Knee Deep, Queensland all-male cabaret Club Briefs, ARIA Hall of Fame recipient Russell Morris and Queensland icons Busby Marou.
Wonderland Spiegeltent director Melissa Head said she was excited to transform the Wonderland Spiegeltent experience.
“We’ve been experimenting with an outdoor live high wire act for a little while now, and with COVID-19, it has fast-forwarded ways we can present. It’s given us the perfect excuse to turn the whole show into an open-air magical experience,” Ms Head said.
“I have wanted to produce an open-air event for quite a while, as I love the atmosphere and the backdrop of stunning North Queensland sunsets.”
Ms Head said families were in for plenty of fun with the outdoor experience.
“Part of the ethos of Wonderland Spiegeltent has always been to create a magical escape for audiences through live performance. Casus Circus are mind-blowing and will have everyone, young and old, marvelling at superhuman, acrobatic feats,” she said.
“Also for the families, there will be outdoor movie nights and carnival favourites too – freshly spun fairy floss and hot popcorn with The Wave Swinger amusement ride and more.”
Ms Head said she anticipated great audience turnout for Wonderland Under the Stars.
“The thirst for live entertainment by both audience members and performers is currently stronger than ever. Entertainment feeds the soul and we can connect the audience in an open-air, COVID-safe way,” she said.
Community and Cultural Development Committee chairperson Ann-Maree Greaney said Wonderland Under the Stars was an event that was not to be missed.
“The Wonderland Spiegeltent team does an incredible job transforming Strand Park, and I’m sure they are going to do a spectacular job of turning the space into Wonderland Under the Stars,” Cr Greaney said.
“This is just one of many events that will activate different suburbs and bring visitors into our beautiful city to enjoy more than five weeks of art and entertainment.”
NAFA COVID Safe is delivered by Townsville City Council and supported by the Queensland Government and Tourism & Events Queensland, and runs from 18 September to 25 October.
Tickets for Wonderland Under the Stars are on sale now. To book your tickets, head to the NAFA website.
