Let’s be quite honest, there is still a high level of uncertainty around how the spread of COVID-19 will progress over the coming months. Although Queensland has been fortunate enough to avoid the brunt of cases that many other Australian states have, as governments attempt to take us back to increasing degrees of “normal”, there could very well be a second wave upon us. That said, the state’s performing arts industry is now at a point where small-scale COVID-safe events can be held, including the annual Brisbane Festival and the QPAC Unlocked line of events. Regarding the latter, the Queensland Performing Arts Centre are taking steps to open up the ‘PAC even more.
Citing “recovery funding from the Queensland Government” which came in at $350,000, representatives of the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) have confirmed that the state’s flagship arts companies will be taking to its stages between 27 September 2020 and 20 December 2020. This will take the form of performances under a new banner, which indicates a commitment to focus on talent from across the state – Queensland’s Own.
Queensland’s Own will kick off with classical music from the movies with Queensland Symphony Orchestra’s Reel Classics (27 September). This will be followed by Beethoven 5 (16 and 17 October) featuring Richard Strauss’ Don Juan and Beethoven’s Symphony No.5, and Beethoven’s Emperor (21 November) showcasing the composer’s mighty Piano Concerto No.5 in E flat (Emperor) and Respighi’s Pine of Rome.
Opera Queensland will be the next to take the stage in ENCORE on 23 and 24 October, in which they hope to captivating audiences with a soul-stirring collection of much-loved arias, duets and ensemble pieces performed by acclaimed singers Shaun Brown, Andrew Collis, Eva Kong, Rosario La Spina, Virgilio Marino and Milijana Nikolic. Engaging with young, up-and-coming talent, these big names will be joined on-stage by Opera Queensland’s 2020 Young Artist Rebecca Cassidy.
Next up on Queensland’s Own will be the Queensland premiere of Queensland Theatre’s Mouthpiece by Kieran Hurley. Performing from 31 October 2020 until 14 November 2020, this new theatrical world aims to be a “bold collision of class, privilege, and power”. The season will feature Christen O’Leary (Ladies in Black, North by North West., End of the Rainbow) and Jayden Popik in the lead roles of Libby and Declan.
Queensland Ballet might have had much of its 60th Anniversary program postponed due to COVID-19, but they will have a presence on the QPAC stages in December. In a program titled Queensland Ballet for 60 Dancers: 60 Stories, the company will perform a collection of short ballets, created by their dancers in isolation around the theme of love. If you want to be one of the first to see these potential classics in the future, you may want to keep 10-12 December 2020 free in your calendar.
Bringing the season to a close is Circa, who will bring two of their iconic contemporary circus works to their fans and new audiences alike. Humans will be performed from 18-22 November 2020, followed by Carnival of the Animals from 16-20 December 2020.
Tickets to all performances mentioned above will go on-sale on Friday 25 September 2020 at 11.00am. Tickets will be available to purchase via the QPAC website, or via their box office on 136-246.
For comments from key figures at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre and Queensland State Government, move to the next page.
