NewsBite

Former Adelaide Festival director Sue Nattrass dies

The woman who took the Adelaide Festival reins from its most controversial artistic director and rescued the program has died.

Adelaide Festival artistic director Sue Nattrass at a press conference in 2002.
Adelaide Festival artistic director Sue Nattrass at a press conference in 2002.

Former Adelaide Festival and Melbourne International Festival artistic director Sue Nattrass has died.

Horsham-born Nattrass, 81, worked her way up from stage management and production for the Tivoli circuit and J. C. Williamson’s theatres to become the first woman artistic director of the Melbourne International Festival in 1998 and 1999.

Adelaide Festival artistic director Peter Sellars with his replacement Sue Nattrass during a media conference at the Hilton Hotel in Adelaide on February 18, 2002.
Adelaide Festival artistic director Peter Sellars with his replacement Sue Nattrass during a media conference at the Hilton Hotel in Adelaide on February 18, 2002.

In the lead-up to the 2002 Adelaide Festival, Nattrass took over as artistic director to expand and deliver the final program after controversial US opera director Peter Sellars departed.

Fellow former Adelaide and Melbourne festivals director Brett Sheehy called Nattrass a “friend, mentor, inspiration and moral compass” to many in the industry.

“This trailblazing venue director, festival director, arts supremo and board leader par excellence, gave time and counsel to hundreds over decades,” Sheehy tweeted.

“Australia is the poorer for our losing her.”

Nattrass received an AO in 2002 and has a Helpmann Award named after her, which is presented for exceptional service to the live performance industry.

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/entertainment/adelaide-festival/former-adelaide-festival-director-sue-nattrass-dies/news-story/e2a0bc3816ac4618bc9043a8d8702062