The Show goes on as Wicked opens at QPAC

Queensland Premier and Arts Minister Anna Bligh has announced that the show will go on at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre with the first performance of highly popular musical Wicked today (Tuesday 25th January).

Premier Bligh stated "since the flood waters inundated the lower-lying facilities of the Cultural Centre, there has been a team of professional contractors and staff working hard - the show must go on!

"(The) matinee of Wicked which will be followed by a full season of this wonderful musical that has already thrilled so many Australians."

QPAC, along with the other four buildings that make up the Cultural Centre - the Queensland Art Gallery, the Gallery of Modern Art, the State Library of Queensland and the Queensland Museum - all sustained flood damage to their lower lying facilities during the recent flooding.

"The Lyric Theatre is the first venue to open at QPAC and work is continuing on the rest of the centre. The remaining venues - the Cremorne Theatre, the Playhouse and the Concert Hall - will be open as soon as possible," Premier Bligh added.

Wicked has been described as the defining musical of the decade by the New York Times and was scheduled to start some performances in Brisbane on 11th January with a gala opening night planned for 16th January.

The Premier added "QPAC is working with qtix to help 40,000 patrons find seats in 30 rescheduled performances - it's a huge task but QPAC will work to ensure that nobody misses out and anyone who can't make a rescheduled show is entitled to a refund.

"It is heartening to see the Lyric Theatre open for business so soon after the flooding and this is just another sign of our city fighting back to its feet after these terrible floods."

The car parks at the Cultural Centre remain closed and patrons are encouraged to take public transport to the shows.

Arrangements have also been made for parking at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre which will accept pre-purchased car parking vouchers.

For more information go to www.qpac.com.au

26th May 2010 - CAPITOL THEATRE’S ‘WICKED’ PERFORMANCE

2nd February 2010 - APPLAUDING 25 YEARS FOR QPAC

19th March 2009 - QPAC THEATRES REOPEN

3rd February 2009 - NEW DIRECTOR FOR QPAC