SWING
Ian Pidd
It is simply a swing – but what a swing! A giant, playful, bright yellow swing. Almost 9 meters tall. It’s the swing of your childhood. Not a theme park parody, or a bungy jumping knockoff. It is spectacular and eye catching and as you approach the giant plaything you notice there is quite a crowd. People are lining up waiting to have a go. Whether you are a teenager, an adult, in a wheelchair, willing or slightly nervous, everyone wants to play.
You line up and watch others. Folks squeal and laugh and close their eyes and look transported by their experience. Suddenly it’s YOUR turn. The whole place seems to be run by children, some helping you onto the swing’s seat, some who call your name to the crowd – this is your time.
Once you are secure the kids step away. An adult pulls you back and back and…wheeeee! Once, twice, three times they push you, higher and higher. Your six-year-old body memory kicks-in, you lean back, stretch out your legs and you are flying! It’s MUCH higher than it looked to be when you watched others do it. It’s thrilling, but there is just a hint of fear. The crowd disappears and you are transported. There is music that plays out your experience. In time the arc shortens, you slow down, the music follows. You come to rest… Silence. You are released, guided away by the children to sit down, given a little snack, something to bring you back to earth, and be safely sent out to the grown-up world.
Ian Pidd
Ian Pidd is a Melbourne-based theatre and festival director renowned for creating ambitious, participatory experiences that bring professional artists and communities together. His practice spans theatre, festivals and large-scale public events, with a focus on collaboration, creativity and joyful audience engagement.
Ian has served as Artistic Director of Back to Back Theatre, The Lost Lands Festival, Junction Arts Festival, Moomba and The Works (Glenorchy), and was Co-Artistic Director of boutique festival The Village. He also chaired Melbourne Fringe for six years and has curated the Village programme across Falls Festivals in Victoria, Tasmania and New South Wales.
As a theatre director, Ian has worked with companies including Snuff Puppets, Polyglot Theatre, The Business and Malthouse Theatre, with productions touring extensively throughout Australia and internationally. His work has taken him to Indonesia, Europe, the UK and the United States, where he has developed acclaimed site-specific and community-led productions.
Beyond directing, Ian is a respected arts leader, mentor and advocate, serving on numerous arts boards and funding panels across Australia. His work is recognised for creating meaningful connections between artists, audiences and place, and for championing participation as a powerful force for community, culture and celebration.
Swing riders must be 120cm or taller.
Low, no language barrier
