Given the uncertainty around when it is viable to begin performances again following the COVID-19 pandemic, Queensland Ballet has in recent weeks confirmed that they are rescheduling their 2020 season until 2021. This would undoubtedly be a disappointment for the organisation, who this year had several 60th-anniversary festivities planned. Rescheduled dates are expected to be announced in the coming months, and those with tickets for shows in the remainder of 2020 will have them exchanged for 2021 dates. Those who cannot make a 2021 performance can contact Queensland Ballet for a refund if they haven’t done so already.
The team at Queensland Ballet are not just kipping off for a few months however. While the dancers might not be gracing the stage, the team has created a ‘Return to Magic Framework’ which outlines what they describe as “sensible and gradual steps” to them resuming activities incrementally. Furthermore, some activities such as The Queensland Ballet Academy located at Kelvin Grove State College have already commenced.
This is a reality than many performing arts companies are likely facing at this time. While some venues such as Arts Centre Melbourne and HOTA: Home of the Arts are planning to open their doors to limited capacity, the inability for theatres to host hundreds of patrons per performance means it is not financially viable for many producers or venues to remain open.
We have been listening to our patrons and we hear that they may wish to wait until 2021 to enjoy ballet again. We have also undertaken economic modelling which has considered potential social distancing restrictions that would render any return to the stage as extremely costly and potentially detrimental financially to the company. In light of this, Queensland Ballet has made the difficult decision to move our entire 2020 season to 2021.
It is disappointing as we had big plans to celebrate our 60 year anniversary during 2020, but we believe this means that patrons can still see the productions they were looking forward to seeing, plus it means no creative energy will have been in vain; from rehearsals right through to stage craft and wardrobe. It also allows us to retain and look after our staff of 200 during this time,
We need to be more resourceful than ever, be innovative, while staying attuned to the changing climate for the arts world post COVID-19. Due to the financial impact that has been experienced by many in our community, whilst we know the arts is important to them, we are also realistic and we are forecasting a 30-40% downturn in attendance for the first quarter of 2021.
Mr Li Cunxin AO – Artistic Director of Queensland Ballet
