THE BIRTH AND DEATH OF STARS

Close your eyes and travel to a sultry cosmos, as six-piece Balkan-French inspired musical collective MZAZA hypnotises audiences over two evenings in Alice Springs and Darwin.

^{By Jenna Hoare}

TAP ALONG TO the sounds of folk stories influenced by Greek mythology and ancient philosophers in MZAZA’s latest album, The Birth of Death and Stars, recreated into a captivating show and touring Australia after previous sell-out seasons in Queensland.

MZAZA’s award-winning lead vocalist and songwriter Pauline Maudy says the band has experienced a beautiful evolution from its beginnings 20 years ago through to creating this theatrical production.

“Benjamin Knapton from CIRCA directed [the show] with me, and we spent time together exploring the themes in the album and the very strong dramaturgical reference points,” Maudy says.

“It was really nice to be able to do that with someone external who brought his own skills and talent to the show.”

MZAZA’S instruments on-stage add to the musicians’ powerful storytelling, with layers of accordion, guitar, double bass, vocal harmonies, violin, and a kamancheh – a Persian violin. The enchanting lyrics are in both French and English.

"The music can be both emotional and incredibly joyous and uplifting. It's reminiscent of a lot of folk music you hear in Europe, with modern contemporary music. The stories are easy to get lost in, and we’ve been told that coming to this show is a journey for many people that takes them away from their everyday lives,” Maudy says.

This is MZAZA’s first visit to the Territory, and the first stop is Araluen Arts Centre in Mparntwe/Alice Springs, before making another debut – an open-air performance – at Darwin Festival.

"[The show] is all about the cosmos and the stars, so that will be beautiful performing outside for the first time ... it's exciting," Maudy says.

"I've been admiring Darwin Festival’s program for the last few years. We feel really blessed that we're part of it."

Alice Springs
WHEN FRI 16 AUG | 7.30PM
AT ARALUEN ARTS CENTRE 
COST $38-$45
INFO araluenartscentre.nt.gov.au

Darwin
WHEN SUN 18 AUG | 7PM
AT FESTIVAL PARK 
COST $40-44
INFO darwinfestival.org.au

_{Photo: Jacques Maudy}