THE RISE AND FALL OF SAINT GEORGE
Friday 15th January 2021, 8:30pm, Barangaroo Reserve
Inspired by the 'life' of the famous street artwork "Saint George", THE RISE AND FALL OF SAINT GEORGE captures the heart and soul of the Queer community as it grappled with the destructive forces that were magnified when the right for same sex marriage was put to the public vote in 2017. Expressing strength and resilience in the face of hate and prejudice, the power of art in unifying is celebrated in this musical "love letter".
First presented in as part of the 2019 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras entertainment offerings, THE RISE AND FALL OF SAINT GEORGE thankfully returned to Sydney for an encore performance to a larger audience on the Walumil lawns on the northern side of Barangaroo Reserve. The 60 minute concert brings together images of the large scale artwork by Scott Marsh that Paul Mac and Jonny Seymour commissioned to adorn the outside wall of their Newtown home, original music by Paul Mac (music) and Lachlan Philpott (lyrics) and the choirs of the Inner West Voices, supplemented by singers from Sydney Philharmonia Choirs and Sydney Conservatorium of Music and soloists Andrew Bukenya, Jacqui Dark, HANDSOME, Joyride, Brendan MacLean, Ngaiire and Marcus Whale.
THE RISE AND FALL OF SAINT GEORGE is a beautiful and powerful collection of original songs, storytelling and images. While the 2021 Sydney Festival engagement was a one night only event, hopefully the concert will be staged again as it is an uplifting while also eye-opening expression of how strong people can be when standing up against prejudice.
Photos: Bianca De Marchi
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