Asia-Pacific Triennial of Performing Arts (Asia TOPA) Launches Inaugural Program

The full program for the inaugural Asia TOPA: Asia-Pacific Triennial of Performing Arts was today announced by Martin Foley MP, Minister for Creative Industries, who described the newest event on Victoria's cultural and creative calendar as a game-changer.

Featuring some of the most anticipated contemporary performance makers and thought leaders from the Asia-Pacific, Asia TOPA showcases Melbourne's unique approach to integrating Asia-Pacific arts and culture through new ways of working and collaborating with a focus on intercultural commissions and innovative presenting partnerships.

A joint initiative with the Sidney Myer Fund and led by Arts Centre Melbourne, Asia TOPA will be presented by a consortium of 14 leading Southbank precinct and city-based cultural institutions together with more than 30 Australian program partners to deliver a festival-style celebration of Asian-focused performance and culture across art forms.

Highlights of the programming include:

· The Music of AR Rahman played by Melbourne Symphony Orchestra with special guest AR Rahman

· The National Ballet of China's The Red Detachment of Women

· Circa's One Beautiful Thing

· ACMI's Bombay Talkies, an exhibition of the recently discovered trove of cultural artefacts from the legendary Bombay Talkies film studio archives

· Festival favourite Manganiyar Classroom

· Malthouse Theatre's Little Emperors, a revelatory new play taking us deep into the lives of China's One Child Policy generation.

· Tao Dance Theatre's 6 & 8

· South East Asia's most exciting and acclaimed choreographer Pichet Klunchun's Dancing with Death

· XO State, curated by Gideon Obarzanek and Eisa Jocson

Full programming details and tickets for all programs in Asia TOPA are now on sale at www.asiatopa.com.au

Australia - Melbourne Awards - Live Stats

Best Musical - Top 3

1. BEETLEJUICE THE MUSICAL (Regent Theatre, Melbourne)

54.6% of votes

2. TWELFTH NIGHT (St Kilda Botanical Gardens)

18.3% of votes

3. MJ THE MUSICAL (Her Majesty's Theatre)

16.3% of votes

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