Australia
World Premiere
“Seductive, utterly
subversive and bursting
at the seams with
monstrous talent.”
Sunday Age (on The Burlesque Hour)
Finucane & Smith's
carnival of
mysteries
Run away to the Carnival, where
circus stars and sideshow queens,
poets and daredevils, painters,
playwrights, aerialists and food
artistes concoct a heady mix of
unforgettable entertainment
under a handmade starry sky
From Finucane & Smith, the world’s pre-eminent
purveyors of provocative variety and intimate
spectacle, including the award-winning The
Burlesque Hour, comes the surreal indoor
Carnival of Mysteries. Inspired by some of
life’s most profound mysteries, this complex,
multilayered, seductive and wild artistic
experience will leave Festival audiences begging
for more!
Overhead, underfoot and throughout four
extraordinary, intricate sites, the Carnival of
Mysteries seduces audiences with the work of
30 unique artists commissioned to respond
to the Mysteries of Innocence, Passion, Mercy,
Forgiveness and Love.
Book for a specified Carnival session and
take the plunge into a world of mysterious
entertainment. Your entry ticket is exchanged
for Carnival cash to allow you a tantalising taste
of the Carnival’s delights, and throughout your
visit you can exchange more currency for more
enticing and exciting experiences.
Behind the intricate hoardings of ‘Sideshow Alley’
intimate pleasure halls offer entertainments for
one to ten people; in the gorgeous ‘Pleasure
Gardens’ tables, chairs and refreshments
curve around the walls and spectacles surprise
throughout the night; in the hidden ‘Shrine’ the
grand piano plays for those in a reflective mood;
and in the jewel of the Carnival crown, the hand
decorated ‘Tent Of Miracles’, a new show can be
seen every ten minutes. This Festival experience
will linger on in your dreams long after the
Carnival is over.
Warning Nudity, Adult Concepts, Smoking &
Smoke Effects, Strobe Effects, Loud Music
Please Note: Under 18s must be accompanied by
a parent or legal guardian
Created by Moira Finucane & Jackie Smith
Featuring the work of David Anderson,
Jeanne Brown, Rachel Burke, Catherine Carmody,
Shirley Cattunar, Julian Chapple, Carolyn
Connors, Yvette Coppersmith, Paul Cordeiro,
Maude Davey, Margaret Dobson, Cathy
Drummond, Holly Durant, Madeline Farrugia,
Christopher Green, Ben Harmer, Monique
Harvey, The Sisters Hayes (Christina, Esther &
Rebecca), Derek Ives, Caroline Lee, Toni Lamond,
Heidrun Lohr, Brian Lucas, Lois Olney, Peta
Murray, Marko Respondeck, Jess Perry, Harriet
Ritchie, Betty Siemers, Lin Tobias, Yumi
Umiumare, Azaria Universe, Timothy Webb,
Darrin Verhagen
Event Information
fortyfivedownstairs
45 Flinders Lane
Previews
Wed 6 Oct at 7pm
Thu 7 Oct at 7pm & 9pm
Festival Season
Fri 8 Oct at 6pm & 8pm
Sat 9, Fri 15, Sat 16, Fri 22 & Sat 23 Oct at 6pm,
8pm & 10pm
Sun 10 & 17 Oct at 4pm, 6pm & 8pm
Tue 12 – Thu 14 & Tue 19 – Thu 21 Oct
at 7pm & 9pm
Session open for 2 hours
(last entry 45min after session starts)
Season runs until Sat 30 Oct
Full........................................................$36.50*
Concession (excl. Seniors)....................... $26.50*
Student (excl. Backpacker Cards).................. $25*
All Preview Tickets....................................$10 off
* Exchange your ticket for Carnival cash at the door.
Buy more Carnival cash onsite to experience
more Carnival delights
Save up to 20%. See page 72 for details.
Ticketmaster 1300 723 038
www.melbournefestival.com.au
fortyfivedownstairs (03) 9662 9966
www.fortyfivedownstairs.com
Supported by Sidney Myer Fund, Australia Council for the Arts, Arts Victoria,
fortyfivedownstairs, Sofitel Hotel for the Arts, City of Melbourne, Electrolight,
Melbourne International Arts Festival, Viponds Paints
Image: The Sisters Hayes Photo: Jodie Hutchinson
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