Perth Festival releases 2022 program with organisers implementing all COVIDSafe requirements

Celebrating the theme of Wardan (Ocean) this summer, Perth Festival has released its program for 2022 with organisers responding to Western Australia’s concerns over Omicron and holding the event in COVIDSafe venues.

Perth Festival Artistic Director Iain Grandage notes “in our city between the desert and the sea, we are transfixed by the ocean and the worlds of wonder out there in the west. Join us to celebrate the ocean’s many faces within Perth Festival 2022." 

The Festival will be working closely with the relevant authorities under WA’s revised Safe Transition plan. They will be implementing all COVIDSafe requirements to protect staff, artists, patrons and the wider community.

Festival organisers advise “we are excited to be sharing our Perth Festival program with our audiences in a safe and welcoming way after the latest State Government measures to keep our community safe.

“Postponing WA’s border opening means Perth Festival patrons can look forward with even greater confidence to attending our Festival, which runs 11th February to 6th March in COVIDSafe venues.”

While the organisers are excited to be going ahead with the event, performances by King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard at Fremantle Arts Centre and by Baarka at B Shed in Fremantle have been cancelled. Ticketholders will be notified directly.

Organisers also confirmed they would not be proceeding with the opening event Escape but throughout the three-week Festival, they advised “incredible artists will be summoning worlds of wonder and delight across music, dance, theatre, visual arts, film and writing events.”

Perth Festival Executive Director, Nathan Bennett adds “we thank the State Government for its strong leadership in keeping us safe in this pandemic. We remain ever-grateful for the support of the Government, Principal Partner Lotterywest, Founding Partner the University of Western Australia and all our supporters. We could not put on the Festival and make such a positive impact on our community without them by our side.”

All of the Festival’s events are covered by COVID Event plans and venue COVID Safety plans, in line with the guidance of the Western Australian Government and the Department of Health. We remind everyone to get double-vaccinated (and a third dose when eligible), and to have their proof of vaccination and ID ready to present upon entry to applicable venues and events. Please see the Festival’s COVIDSafe page 

Perth Festival runs 11th February – 6th March 2022. Lotterywest Films is currently running until 3rd April 2022.

Bookings and festival information at perthfestival.com.au

Image: Emerging from the darkness of the theatre and an expanse of undulating black silk, dancers and musicians will reveal the stunning beauty of Rachel Arianne Ogle’s deeply ritualised And The Earth Will Swallow Them Whole Credit Peter Cheng Acid Flix