QPAC leads Queensland arts venues in preparing for reopening

The Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) is among a number of venues that will reopen to patrons in the coming weeks.

Closed for almost six months, the Brisbane venue will commence a special series of live performance experiences in reimagined theatres and spaces with the QPAC Unlocked series, showcasing leading Queensland artists.

To be held on Fridays and Saturdays from 28th August to 3rd October, the varied program will welcome limited audience in QPAC’s Lyrebird Restaurant, Concert Hall and Cremorne Theatre.

Advising that he is looking forward to the venue coming alive once again since closing its theatres to audiences in March this year due to COVID-19, QPAC Chief Executive, John Kotzas stated “the safety of our patrons, staff and performers has consistently been front of mind throughout and, after months of closure, we are excited to be opening our doors soon for these smaller events that will allow us to step confidently into this new COVID Safe world.

“Whilst we won’t be seeing full theatres in the coming months, as we work within social distancing guidelines, the way we are reimagining the use of our theatres and other spaces will ensure unique, safe and entertaining experiences for audiences.

“The changed environment that we’re all working within has meant that we’ve had to challenge the way we usually do things and come up with creative and progressive ways of presenting theatre meaning this will be QPAC like you’ve never seen us before, and perhaps never will again.”

The reopening will see QPAC’s popular fine dining restaurant the Lyrebird transformed into a live music venue. Audiences will be treated to exclusive live music experiences paired with a special menu created by QPAC Chefs featuring delicious Queensland produce and matched wines.

QPAC’s Unlocked Concert Hall program will also offer a new perspective for audiences with seating at the rear, not in front of the stage.

Opening from 4th September, the program will offer a series of one hour-long performances featuring some of Queensland’s most outstanding soloists and chamber musicians.

In addition to the QPAC Unlocked events, the venue will welcome Australasian Dance Collective’s Youth Ensemble premiere Echo on 28th and 29th August in the Cremorne Theatre and Brisbane Festival’s Leviathan by Brisbane’s acclaimed Circa from 3rd September 2020 in the Playhouse.

Kotzas added “it will be wonderful to feel the buzz between artists and audiences back here at QPAC. Bringing people together to enjoy live performance is central to what we do and we can’t wait to see our stages and theatres animated once again very soon.”

Queensland Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said the QPAC program was a great way to welcome back audiences, and experience live performance in a COVID Safe way, adding “it is wonderful to see QPAC highlight Queensland’s incredibly talented local artists and arts organisations and help connect audiences with their work, which will inspire, uplift, and help tell our unique stories.”

Among other venues, the Events Centre Caloundra will host its first show since the outbreak of COVID-19 on 29th August.

Images courtesy of QPAC.