31 December 2003

Sydney Festival in association with Sydney Olympic Park present
Campagnia di Valerio Festi's

OF ANGELS AND LIGHT

January 8, 9 & 10
Olympic Boulevard, SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK

In the grand tradition of spectacular Sydney Festival's free outdoor events comes a magnificent show from Italy.

Sydney Olympic Park will host the opening event for Sydney Festival 2004 with a blessing from angels with a truly ethereal performance from the Italian company Studio Festi.

For the last few years, Sydney Festival has presented a spectacular outdoor production on the Opera House Forecourt. In 2004, in response to growing numbers of audiences, the Festival is moving its opening free outdoor performances to Olympic Boulevard at Sydney Olympic Park where Studio Festi will transform the Boulevard into a celestial playground. Anticipated audience numbers for Of Angels and Light are 20,000 per night.

Studio Festi's magical production sees angels appear from the heavens suspended below huge inflatable helium-filled spheres brightly decorated with renaissance images that float high above the crowd. Giant hand-painted Baroque spheres float along the Olympic Boulevard with dancers performing beneath, connecting the mystical apparitions to the surface of the earth.

Accompanied by exquisite music and lightshow, Of Angels and Light will captivate audiences as performers spin and dance above their heads. The supernatural happens high above - flying silhouettes, dizzy skywalks, material and ethereal icons floating across the sky, as well as more of the intricately decorated spheres rolling through the crowd with acrobats inside, dancing and mystically floating, seemingly free of gravity.

Of Angels and Light will enthral and delight Sydneysiders - young and old alike.

Come early to Sydney Olympic Park and soak up the atmosphere of an authentic Italian piazza. Delicious Italian dishes, coffee, sensational gelato and sweets will be available each night, plus plenty of pre-show entertainment.

Come early to Sydney Olympic Park to enjoy the pre-show entertainment!

Don't miss this extraordinary event for three performances only,
and be part of the opening of your 2004 Festival!

Where:       Olympic Boulevard at Sydney Olympic Park
When:         January 8, 9 & 10 at 8.45pm
Duration:     70 minutes, no interval
Price:          FREE

Media Enquiries
Ashley Paton
PR Manager
Sydney Olympic Park
9714 7120
0408 602 983