Fergus Linehan
Director of Sydney Festival
If Sydney was a theatrical production, what kind what it be, what would it be about, who would play the lead, who would write it?
During Barry Kosky's production of "The Lost Echo" at Sydney Theatre there was a section which covered The Bacchae, which came as close as I have encountered to capturing Sydney's excesses and idiosyncracies. So much of Sydney seems to still be about the pull and tug between the hedonistic life of the populace and the wowser language of their leaders.
Linehan's first three years as director of the Sydney Festival have been an unprecedented sucess. Innovations like Tix for Next to Nix (allocated seats sold on the day of the performance) and the free opening night party Festival First Night fed record box office takings with audiences of over a million.
Where do you go to get inspired?
Shop
One that really surprised me recently was upstairs in Borders in Westfield, Bondi Junction - really good music and DVD selection and a far more diverse stock than you might expect.
Bookshop
Ariel on George Street in the Rocks. They know they don't have a lot of space so they just provide a really smart mix for tourists, serious readers and people wandering over from the MCA.
Magazine/periodical
I like a music magazine called The Big Takeover. It is quite possibly the ugliest mag in the world and is written by complete music tragics. However, it has the most comprehensive album review section of any publication I know of.
Website
The Guardian website has been the world's best for quite a few years now. Their minute by minute coverage of sporting events is a lot of fun and actually beats listening to radio commentary.
Outdoor space
I don't like running or walking so I guess it would have to be Gordon's Bay - there's something about the rocks that softens the noise and both the rough terrain and the nude people scare off the crowds. When I bring friends who are visiting the city here it knocks their socks off.
Creative space
Our office very late at night. A lot of the time I like to work through until about 3 am, both to talk to people in other time zones and because my brain kicks in quite late in the day.
Theatre
While I admire many venues in Sydney, Belvoir Street still beats all the others hands down. The Stables is a lovely space as well.
Gig venue
I know there are others with more history but the Metro, for my money, is the one of the best rock and roll rooms I've ever been in.
Cinema
Dendy in Newtown - always a great crowd who know their stuff.
Sports
A bright winters afternoon at the SCG, beer, hot chips, the best supporters in the world and the Swans on form - doesn't get much better .
Who is your ultimate Sydney style icon and why?
It has to be Clover Moore - she couldn't be from anywhere but Sydney.
What element of style does Sydney have that the rest of the world needs?
An uncomplicated relationship with pleasure.
Who in your sphere is an up and coming Sydneysider to watch?
Keep an eye on the theatre company My Darling Patricia. I'm not quite sure where they're going with it but they're onto something.
What would advice would you give to aspiring people in your field?
Marry somebody rich.