Womadelaide’s Place des Anges feather show has some patrons in a flap
ANGRY vegans are in a flap over a spectacular performance at Womadelaide that saw tonnes of feathers sprayed over spectators below — but organisers aren’t ducking for cover.
Fringe
Don't miss out on the headlines from Fringe. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Gallery: Womadelaide 2018 in pictures
- Womadelaide 2018: Friday night reviews
- Womadelaide 2018: Saturday reviews
- Womadelaide 2018: Sunday reviews
FEATHERS are flying over Womadelaide’s spectacular aerial showstopper, Place des Anges (Place of Angels).
While the nightly circus performance has been a huge hit, organisers have been struggling with the aftermath.
The show involved a highwire act with performers soaring about the crowd, showering spectators with tonnes of white feathers.
Furious patrons — particularly those who are vegan or suffer from allergies —- posted on the event page on Facebook with concerns over animal welfare, human health and pollution.
“You might as well have sprayed us with blood WOMAD ... what were you thinking,” wrote Lea McBride.
Many said they were shocked, saddened and distressed by the sight. Mardi Caines posted shortly after midnight on the first evening, feeling disgusted.
“Who is responsible for the horrendous stage show of showering the crowds with innocently slaughtered birds feathers! No consideration to asthma and allergy sufferers.”
Gina Machado called it a “totally off-brand decision” in her challenge to organisers.
“I’ve always respected your efforts on sustainability, the environment and health of your audiences,” she wrote.
“Dumping millions (or more?) of bird feathers each night is complete disregard for how those birds lived and died, and for the health of everyone in the park (especially those with allergies/sensitivity) made to live with them on the ground and in the air.”
Others suggested “WOMAD deleted many posts, discussing how awful the feathers were”.
“Truth hurts WOMAD, man up and admit it was a big mistake and apologise to the thousands of allergy sufferers and the many vegans you horrified,” wrote Angela Randall.
“I won’t be going again and my many vegan friends and huge vegan communities won’t either, unless you apologise to us, the animals and the affected.”
Festival director Ian Scobie said he was “not surprised, because people love to have something to react against”.
“Let’s be clear, Place des Anges is a work of art, it’s a statement from artists and that is always provocative,” he said.
“You can never do anything and expect 100 per cent approval from everybody but I think generally the detractors are in a minority, but they’re perfectly able to have their view.”
He dismissed health concerns, referring to a page of Freqently Asked Questions on the festival website.
“All of the animals that those feathers came from were already dead,” Mr Scobie said.
“They were grown and harvested for their meat and the feathers are a by-product.
“When an animal is killed for its meat, should the feathers just go in the bin? I would argue it’s a far better use for them to have a life and the processing that goes on with those feathers, they are triple-washed and treated to ensure there’s no allergens or pathogens in them, they are principally going into feathered doonas or clothing.”
Meanwhile, countless feathers are floating off-site into the city and surrounds. Mr Scobie said some had been spotted in Victoria Square outside the Hilton Hotel.
“At the end of the festival we will do a more thorough clean-up but they are a natural substance, which will decompose,” he said.
“Some of them will blow around the city as feathers do. We will get the bulk of them.”
However, he also said the angels would not return to Adelaide.
“No. A miracle like that only happens once.”
The last performance of Place des Anges is tonight at 10.45pm. Tickets at womadelaide.com.au
Fringe seeks cash injection to revive in 2021
Struggling artists need more help over the next year so they can put on the 2021 Fringe. Event director Heather Croall says that means a $1 million funding boost – a 50 per cent increase – from the State Government.
Look inside all-new Her Majesty’s as first show announced
Take a tour inside Her Majesty’s Theatre following its $66 million revamp – the first show at the new-look venue has been revealed and will start in less than two weeks.