QPAC is back as doors open for arts ‘homecoming’
A number of major performing arts companies will return to the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) this weekend to grace the stage in a massive ‘homecoming’.
Thanks to Queensland Government funding, the South Brisbane venue will open its doors from 27 September to 20 December 2020, and house companies like Opera Queensland, Queensland Ballet, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Queensland Theatre and Circa in a program aptly named ‘Queensland’s Own’.
This news is a positive win for the QPAC, which closed its doors in March 2020 as the pandemic began to escalate. QPAC Chief Executive, John Kotzas, said the announcement was the light at the end of the tunnel for the performing arts industry that has been devasted by the coronavirus.
“We’re fortunate in Queensland to have our very own nationally and internationally acclaimed arts companies and we feel it’s a natural progression for them to be part of this next phase of QPAC’s reopening as we move towards our theatres operating at 50 per cent capacity in a COVID Safe environment,” Mr Kotzas said.
“The recent success of our sold-out ‘QPAC Unlocked’ program shows there is an appetite for people to get out and enjoy live performance again and that’s great news for our industry but also the other sectors and businesses that are impacted by our closure.”
Minister for the Arts, Leeanne Enoch, said the Queensland Government’s investment of $350,000.00 will assist the State’s arts companies in returning to the stage and further support Queensland’s economic recovery plan.
“This investment is part of the $22.5 million Arts and Cultural Recovery Package and means these companies will perform once again on the QPAC stage, showcasing their incredible talents,” Minister Enoch said.
“This is a fantastic outcome for Queensland audiences who can once again connect with live performances from our leading arts companies. The new program will also support around 2000 employment opportunities for artists and arts workers. Our Arts and Cultural Recovery Package works to sustain the arts sector, drive new creative work, employ artists and arts workers, and deliver rich COVID-safe arts experiences for Queenslanders.”
QPAC will present the extraordinary work of Queensland-based artists, “with something for everyone” in ‘Queensland’s Own’. The program will kick off with original scores and classical music from Queensland Symphony Orchestra, including ‘Reel Classics’ (27 September), followed by ‘Beethoven 5′ (16-17 October) featuring Richard Strauss’ ‘Don Juan’, and ‘Beethoven’s Emperor’ (21 November) with the incredible Piano Concerto No.5 in E flat (Emperor) and Respighi’s ‘Pine of Rome’.
Audiences will be captivated with opera’s most popular pieces in ‘Encore’ presented by Opera Queensland. This soul-stirring collection of much-loved arias, duets and ensemble pieces will be performed by acclaimed singers Shaun Brown, Andrew Collis, Eva Kong, Rosario La Spina, Virgilio Marino and Milijana Nikolic, as well as rising Opera Queensland 2020 Young Artist Rebecca Cassidy (23-24 October).
Queensland Theatre will return to the stage to present an unmissable premiere, ‘Mouthpiece’ by Kieran Hurley. The production will star acclaimed Queensland actor Christen O’Leary (‘Ladies in Black’, ‘North by North West’, ‘End of the Rainbow’ and Jayden Popik, who makes his Queensland Theatre debut (31 October to 14 November).
Inspired by the theme of love, Queensland Ballet will continue their 60th-anniversary celebrations with a collection of short ballets, created by the company’s own dancers in isolation, entitled ‘Queensland Ballet for 60 Dancers: 60 Stories’ (16-20 December). Concluding the program, Circa will present two sensational circus productions, ‘Humans’ (18-22 November) and the popular family production by Circa and QPAC’s Out of the Box, ‘Carnival of the Animals’ (16-20 December).
All productions will operate under approved COVID Safe Plans, with the health and safety of all patrons, staff and artists a top priority for QPAC. Mr Kotzas spoke about the difficult times and how, through it all, the venue remains committed to providing enjoyable and safe arts experiences for all audiences.
“These challenging times have highlighted the important and unifying role that art plays in our lives and we’re grateful to the Queensland Government for acknowledging this through their funding of this program,” Mr Kotzas said.
“QPAC, alongside our state companies and the wider arts industry, is committed to creating joyful arts experiences and connecting communities and this funding is enabling us to do so once again.”
To learn more about upcoming shows at QPAC and to purchase tickets for ‘Queensland’s Own’, visit their website.
