QPAC set for bumper year with stellar line-up

The Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) is on track for a bumper year with some of the industry’s biggest names and productions set to fill theatres.

Arts Minister Rod Welford said audiences could look forward to a star-studded line-up in 2008, starting this week with the much-anticipated return of The Phantom of the Opera.

“Other productions and events this year include hit musical Keating!, a spectacular stage adaptation of Edward Scissorhands and the Out of the Box children’s festival,” Mr Welford said.

“In late 2007, QPAC experienced some of its best attendances ever and some of its strongest sales on record for that time of the year.

“A large slice of these strong box office sales were for 2008 performances.

“Phantom has been a huge hit for QPAC, with more than 100,000 tickets sold even before it opens this Sunday (10 February).

“In addition to bringing a financial boon for QPAC, these strong sales bring an important cultural tourism windfall for the region – over 30 per cent of all Phantom ticket sales went to people outside the greater Brisbane area.”

Mr Welford said QPAC would once again host Out of the Box – one of the world’s few festivals for 3-8 year olds – from 10-15 June.

“Out of the Box will be based at QPAC, and for the first time activites will spread across the Cultural Centre to include the Queensland Art Gallery, State Library of Queensland and the Queensland Museum,” he said.

In 2008 QPAC will also host Cyndi Lauper, kd lang, Paul Potts, Guy Sebastian and David Campbell, while classical music has a starring role with the Australian Chamber Orchestra and The Queensland Orchestra.

Comedy was a bestseller at QPAC in 2007 and this year some of the world’s best comedians will have QPAC audiences laughing. These include Jason Alexander, from TV’s Seinfeld and the irrepressible The Chaser team.

For dance fans there’s the Australian Ballet’s Giselle in July, followed by Sydney Dance Company, Bangarra Dance Theatre and Queensland Ballet.

Opera Queensland is back in 2008 with The Barber of Seville and the Queensland Theatre Company returns with The Female of the Species.

Media contact: Emma Clarey on 3237 1000 or 0417 791 336