Additional Statements from Key Stakeholders
Brisbane Festival has a long and cherished history of championing new work and we are so delighted to once again partner with QPAC to bring these new shows to life.
Louise Bezzina | Artistic Director of Brisbane Festival 2023
All of the key creatives for both works are proud Queenslanders, Kate and Keir and the artistic directors of shake & stir. We know how incredible these creatives are and that the end results will be something unique, quintessentially Australian and wholly magical.
I am delighted to premiere these bold, brazen and inclusive new works at Brisbane Festival in 2023.
Kate Miller-Heidke, Keir Nuttall and shake & stir theatre co. are wonderful examples of the exciting, contemporary creative teams emerging from the State.
John Kotzas | Chief Executive of QPAC
Kate, Keir and Simon Phillips found tremendous success with Muriel’s Wedding, The Musical here and throughout Australia. And audiences loved shake & stir’s Brisbane Festival debut, Fourteen, which we were delighted to co-present last year.
An important part of QPAC’s role is to support Queensland artists and creatives in bringing new stories to life and to do so in two major productions as part of Brisbane’s signature arts festival is a remarkable achievement for everyone involved and a terrific opportunity for audiences.
The announcement of the world premieres of Bananaland and Tae Tae in the Land of Yaaas! as part of this year’s festival program provide us with the promise of an exciting and diverse Brisbane Festival program in 2023.
The Honourable Leeanne Enoch MP | Queensland Arts Minister
These productions are another great example of the exceptional storytelling for which our state is known.
We have so much home-grown talent in Queensland and it will be great to see this on stage at the Brisbane Festival 2023.
The festival is going from strength to strength and the Palaszczuk Government is proud to support the great productions it stages year in, year out.
Brisbane Festival is a real drawcard for the region, each year attracting thousands of visitors who come to experience world-class theatre, music, dance, opera and of course, Riverfire.
The Honourable Sterling Hinchliffe | Queensland Tourism Minister
It has become one of those iconic events you mark on the calendar each year. A time to celebrate with spring in the air and something for everyone to enjoy.
It’s also great for Brisbane’s visitor economy with this year’s festival expected to generate more than 85,000 direct visitor nights and more than $17.6 million in economic benefit.
Local restaurants, bars and accommodation providers in Brisbane will all share in the benefits from this major cultural event, with the program spread out right across the city.
It’s terrific that the Palaszczuk Government through Tourism and Events Queensland is backing two of our state’s most talented musical acts, Kate Miller-Heidke and Keir Nuttall, to premiere their new production Bananaland.
Brisbane is a city that supports our own, and we love to see local stars shine on and off stage.
Cr Adrian Schrinner | Lord Mayor of Brisbane
Both Kate and Keir studied in Brisbane, and the shake & stir team has been delighting Queensland audiences since 2006, so it’s safe to say that the river city has been a backdrop to this creative process.
Brisbane Festival is the jewel in our arts calendar crown, and these world premieres will certainly get audiences excited for what’s to come in September.
