Perth Festival to delay start of 2021 program by two weeks

Impacted by the reintroduction of COVID-19 restrictions in Western Australia this week and to allow the rescheduling of performances, the organisers of the 2021 Perth Festival have advised that the event will be pushed back by two weeks.

Before this week’s five-day lockdown, the 2021 Festival was supposed to start today with productions the first of two sold-out concerts from Perth-raised entertainer Tim Minchin and the WA Symphony Orchestra at Kings Park, theatre company Barking Gecko’s premiere of HOUSE and Ballet at the Quarry.

Now the Festival will start of rescheduled to Monday 15th February, running until 14th March, turning what had been planned as 23-day event into a 28-day season.

In a statement, organisers advised that the delay was based “on the advice of the WA Government and the Chief Health Officer”.

The statement added “while we recognise the impact of this delay on our artists, audiences, supporters and partners, we understand that we need to do what’s necessary to keep our community safe. We are also optimistic that the continued positive progress in WA will allow us to bring this amazing Festival to stages and venues near you.”

With performances to be rescheduled, the statement added “all current Festival tickets remain valid and ticket holders will be contacted regarding rescheduled dates.

“(While) this may take a few days longer than usual as we work through the issues … there is no need to call or email the box office.”

Going on to state that “the good news is we plan to extend our season to make up for lost time”, Festival Executive Director, Nathan Bennett noted “the leadership and support of the State Government, our Principal Partner Lotterywest, Founding Partner the University of Western Australia and all our treasured partners and supporters has helped us immensely throughout these uncertain and disruptive times. We are grateful that their support has given us the confidence and capacity to pursue the dreams of our artists and celebrate our community together.”

Perth Festival has a WA Health-approved COVID Safety Plan, with organisers pledging to “continue to closely work with our artists, our partners and the state government as we all go through this together.”

The Coronavirus pandemic has caused the biggest upheaval to the Perth Festival since it began in 1953, with the event never having been delayed or rescheduled.

Post lockdown advice from the Western Australian Government
The Western Australian Government has advised that ass of 6pm today (Friday 5th February) the five-day lockdown in Perth, Peel and the South-West will end.

While South-West will return immediately to pre-lockdown conditions like the rest of regional Western Australia, Perth and Peel subject to transitional restrictions until 12.01am on Sunday 14th February. 

The post lockdown transitional measures for the Perth and Peel regions, include: 

• Everyone must continue to wear a mask in public and while at work, unless exempt or for outdoor vigorous exercise;
• All business and venues can re-open, except for the casino and nightclubs;
• 4 metre² capacity rule and 150-person capacity at hospitality, entertainment, fitness venues and events including weddings, funerals (excluding staff);
• Community sport can involve up to 150 people including players, officials and spectators;
• Seated service only at hospitality venues;
• Dancing only permitted at weddings and dance studios;
• 20-person limit for private indoor and outdoor gatherings;
• Visits to aged care and disability care facilities restricted to compassionate grounds and advocates;
• Residential school and boarding facilities can resume with a COVID Safety Plan; and
• Only essential travel, including work, is permitted in and out of the Perth and Peel regions to other parts of the state.

For more information go to www.wa.gov.au

Images: Perth Festival performances in 2019 (top) and the 2020 Highway to Hell (below).