City to lose its favourite Irishman

BY PAM WALKER
Sydney Festival director Fergus Linehan will head back to Ireland at the end of next year’s festival, four years after coming to Australia.

But it’s likely he won’t be gone long as this country’s relaxed lifestyle has made a big impression. Above all else, he loves that he can go six months without wearing socks.

‘I’m heartbroken to go but it’s time. That’s the problem with Sydney ‘ how the hell do you leave it once you’re here”

But leave he will, at least long enough to take a well-earned break back home in Dublin where he will ponder his next move.

‘I was working in the theatre but Sydney Festival suddenly blew that out and I love so much about the Festival stuff I’m wondering is that the way I want to go’ I’d better go home, and then decide what to do next. But I love it here,’ he said.

‘For the moment I want to do nothing. This job’s been really busy ‘ I think I’ve read three books since I got here. I need to not be so busy for a while. It’ll be good not to get on a plane for six months.’

Linehan, who spent most of his four years living in Bondi, plans to return there for his last few months.

‘There’s so much about Bondi that I miss. I don’t miss the traffic or the parties. I don’t miss the 333 coming up the road and being full,’ he said.

‘I miss waking up in a pair of shorts and walking straight out the door to do the shopping, not putting on a shirt, or shoes. I went six months without wearing socks.

‘And I love the fact you have the richest man in Australia living next door to the dodgiest backpackers. It’s such an egalitarian place and it’s so open. I love the layering ‘ there’s tourist

Bondi and the old Bondi – those old guys who’ve been there all their lives and don’t understand how it got so glamorous. And they’re tough nuts out at Bondi, not sissy eastern suburbs Woollahra types.’

As someone who swims all year round, he’ll also be happy to get back to the beach.
‘When the surf’s right in Bondi, it’s fantastic. And I love that when you arrive at the beach no-one tells you there’s divisions. If you’re incredibly good looking French and Brazilian types you go here; if you’re families you go here; if ok but not that good looking you go here and if you’re a ferral backpacker you go here. No-one tells you but that’s how it happens. I love Bronte as well.’

The 2009 Sydney Festival, while a culmination of the work he has done over the four years, is the only season that hasn’t added any new element.

‘Every year we’ve added something – the Spiegeltent, Festival First Night. There’s a lot more diversity this year. In terms of distinguishing features, there’s a lot of theatre and a lot of Irish stuff.’

And lots of rock ‘n ‘roll (though not as much as last year), ‘alternative folk’ from the US and gay culture and dance music icon Grace Jones.

Linehan’s tip’ All tomorrow’s parties on Cockatoo Island with Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.

‘If I were a ticket-buying member of the public and could only pick one thing, that would be the one.’

And of course there’s the Dawn Chorus on January 31 with the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs on Bondi Beach. For information visit www.sydneyfestival.org.au.