The Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) is about to burst back into life as the state’s major arts companies return to its stages between 27 September and 20 December, thanks to recovery funding from the Queensland Government.

Opera Queensland, Queensland Ballet, Queensland Symphony Orchestra Queensland Theatre and Circa will all perform there over the coming months, as part of a program called Queensland’s Own. They will present their shows to socially distanced audiences, with the theatres operating at 50 percent capacity in a COVID Safe environment.

Neneka Yoshida and Victor Estevez in Queensland Ballet’s 60 Dancers: 60 Stories. Photograph © Tamara Hanton

QPAC Chief Executive John Kotzas said the program was an important move forward in the industry’s recovery, as well as a significant step in QPAC’s reopening.

Along with performing arts venues around the country, QPAC closed its doors in March due to the coronavirus pandemic. In recent weeks, it took the first step back to live performance when it presented QPAC Unlocked, a series of intimate, socially distanced performances in the Concert Hall and Lyrebird Restaurant, including Viva España featuring Camerata and flamenco guitarist Andrew Veivers, and Wonderland – An Evening...