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And 'Waltzing Matilda' Played on and on and on and on...

Published: 05 Jan. 2003, 19:47

Zorica McCarthy raised her wine glass and toasted the "century of Australia." The charge d'affaires of Australia was with 100 fellow mates at the Seoul Arts Center last week for the opening of the Australian Festival. Wine from Grimm's Domain flowed freely under chandeliers at the VIP room of the Opera House. It was a pre-performance party complete with guests from the Australian community and several other diplomats.

Judging by the noise level, there was great anticipation for the first showing of "Birdbrain" by the Australian Dance Theater. The performance run, which ended on Sunday, marked the company's first visit to Korea.

"My breath was taken away," Ms. McCarthy said after watching the postmodern mix of ballet, breakdance and yoga. The troupe is taking the show to New York in the fall. The night ended with another party, this time at Ms. McCarthy's residence.

With the help of the art center, the embassy, the Australian Tourism commission and BHT, an Australian company that sells raw resources to Korea, brought several Australian performance troops here for the festival that ends on Aug. 19.

by Joe Yong-hee