From sex shops to laundromats, find fun around every corner during the Anywhere Theatre Festival
You’re probably familiar with the sentiment that great things happen when you step outside of your comfort zone, but just how far are you willing to go? One event that has epitomised the concept of pushing boundaries is the Anywhere Theatre Festival, a smorgasbord of pop-up shows that take place in the nooks and crannies of Brisbane. From May 4–21, the festival will spread across 104 locations, each more surprising and unconventional than the last. The only rule? To perform anywhere but a theatre, or exhibit art anywhere but a gallery.
If you haven’t twigged yet, the Anywhere Theatre Festival is a truly unique experience. Not only is the concept absolutely bonkers, but the sheer size of the operation is mind-boggling – throughout the course of the festival, Queensland’s biggest collective of independent artists will put on a staggering 704 performances and exhibitions all across the state. Anywhere is the world’s most geographically spread open access performance and arts festival, this year reaching out for the first time across Brisbane, Cairns, the Gold Coast, Hervey Bay, Ipswich, Mackay, Mount Isa, Toowoomba and the Sunshine Coast. That’s a whole lot of entertainment!
The festival program is packed with goodness, but there are a few shows that are just too awesome (or just plain weird) not to mention specifically. Punters can catch everything from an erotic hypnotist shows held inside a sex shop, to a laundromat sing-and-dance-along. The immersive and choose-your-own-adventure of The Farce Awakens will be taking over the Museum of Brisbane, and Let Them Eat Cake takes on a literal meaning at The Golden Pig Cooking School. If floating entertainment is more your style, you’ll be delighted to know that there are several shows happening aboard the Kookaburra Queen – take in comedy, cabaret and even a little bit of Cluedo! action.
Itching for an adventure? You can take a look at the whole program and buy tickets to shows through the Anywhere Theatre Festival website. Let’s get weird.
To find out more about what’s on in Brisbane, head to our Event Guide.
