Queensland Performing Arts Centre

Two new home-grown companies debut at QPAC in 2019

In 2019, Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) welcomes two new local companies: JADE New World Collective and Myths Made Here.

JADE New World Collective is made up of four musicians, each hailing from unique cultural heritages and music disciplines – Indigenous didgeridoo musician David Williams, Japanese koto master Takako Haggarty Nishibori, Nepalese tabla virtuoso Dheeraj Shrestha and Australian guitarist Dr Anthony Garcia. Six months of improvisation, collaboration and conversations in QPAC’s rehearsal studio culminated in JADE’s first concert, Crystal Moonlight in February.

JADE New World Collective (Photo credit: Marcus Bell)

“Music has the capacity to create and share new ideas, uplift, heal and ignite new perspectives. The musicians of JADE New World Collective are connected by a unique essence and energy. Our cultural traditions, instruments and connections to the physical landscape intertwine to create an ancient yet contemporary sound reflective of the urban environment where we live in Brisbane,” said Dr Garcia.

QPAC Chief Executive John Kotzas said JADE New World Collective is an example of bringing different arts disciplines and cultures together to create new work. “JADE has created a captivating musical response to the evolving landscape of our city. The cultural traditions of each artist come together in a synchronised melody and harmony, reflecting contemporary Queensland stories on QPAC’s stage,” said Mr Kotzas.

Theatre collective Myths Made Here is a new company led by Annette Box, Daniel Evans, Tara Hobbs, Amy Ingram and Thomas Larkin – five Queensland-based collaborators whose experience spans festivals, theatre, film and education. In April, Myths Made Here debuts with Cinderella, a modern retelling of the fairy-tale filled with glittering magic and awkward affection. Transported to a modern setting, this Cinderella is a single woman trying to go on a half-decent date, and a single guy who has an unreasonable fear of not being heard over loud music in bars.

Cinderella (Photo credit: Dylan Evans)

Chief Executive John Kotzas said QPAC is passionate about enabling storytelling with local creatives and artists. “Continually supporting local artists and creatives, hearing new voices and presenting new stories on our stages is a significant part of what we enable at QPAC. Creative talent is overflowing in Queensland – it’s an exciting time for our audiences,” said Mr Kotzas.

Duck returns to QPAC

Duck (Photo credit: Darren Thomas)

Following its world premiere at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre’s (QPAC’s) 2018 Out of the Box Festival for children eight years and under, Duck returns to the Cremorne Theatre for a quacking season in June.

Based on Janet A. Holmes’ much-loved children’s book illustrated by Jonathan Bentley, Duck was created for audiences aged two to five years old and was a sell-out during QPAC’s 2018 Out of the Box Festival. Through puppetry, live-action and music, this beautiful show brings the heartfelt tale about the beloved things in our lives and just how much we need them, to the stage.

QPAC Chief Executive John Kotzas said QPAC’s investment in the creation of new works like Duck, engaged children and inspired creativity and learning through art, and was one of the most significant roles of QPAC’s biennial Out of the Box Festival programme.  

“QPAC’s Out of the Box has delivered captivating performances and activities for children over 14 festivals. We are especially proud of the new works created and commissioned over the last 27 years. I am sure there are many families who will remember popular shows Fluff and Carnival of the Animals, both which went on to tour nationally and internationally. We have similar aspirations for Duck,” said Mr Kotzas.

2019 QPAC International Series: Bolshoi Ballet

Dennis Rodkin in Spartacus (Photo by Damir Yusupov © Bolshoi Theatre)

The applause and standing ovations are set to continue for the QPAC International Series with mighty Bolshoi Ballet set to return exclusively to Queensland for the Series in June/July 2019.

QPAC Chief Executive John Kotzas said it’s no secret the Bolshoi have wanted to return since the day they left in 2013, it was just a matter of locking in a time in their highly demanding performance calendar as well as waiting till contracts were signed to make it official.

“The Bolshoi will present two ballets, Spartacus and triple bill Jewels in QPAC’s Lyric Theatre between 26 Jun and 7 Jul, including the rare opportunity for audiences to make a weekend of it and see both ballet productions on the first weekend of the season.”

“At the Russian company’s home in Moscow, seasons of Spartacus and Jewels are booked out months in advance and we expect to see the same for this exclusive Queensland return,” Mr Kotzas said.

Since 2009 the QPAC International Series has welcomed some of the world’s finest performance companies, delivering $25.5 million for the Queensland economy and cementing Queensland’s reputation as a leading vibrant cultural destination.

Click here to visit Queensland Performing Arts Centre’s website.