Queensland cultural life focus of inspirational new play
Published Monday, 06 October, 2008 at 09:00 PM
Minister for Education and Training and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Rod Welford
Arts Minister Rod Welford tonight announced a unique Queensland story by state theatre icon Bille Brown as the showpiece of Queensland Theatre Company’s 2009 season.
Launching Queensland Theatre Company’s program, Mr Welford said The School of Arts, would premiere as part of Queensland’s 150th birthday celebrations.
“The School of Arts, starring Brown and directed by Michael Gow, tells of the unintentional chaos caused by a band of travelling players performing Shakespeare in regional Queensland,” Mr Welford said.
“Set against the backdrop of the 1967 Referendum, the production is a comic tribute to the state’s extraordinary cultural life and it is fitting that it will premiere as part of our Q150 celebrations.
“Bille began his acting career with Queensland Theatre Company more than 30 years ago and has since performed in London’s West End and on New York’s Broadway, as well as establishing a strong film and television career in Australia.
“However, it is his early years performing across Queensland and his childhood as a stockman’s son from Biloela which have provided the inspiration for The School of Arts.”
Mr Welford said Brown was awarded a $40,000 Arts Queensland Creative Fellowship to develop the play, which opens at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) in July. The School of Arts is co-produced with QPAC and Q150.
“Our Government is pleased to support Queensland Theatre Company and has contributed $250,000 in Q150 funds towards its staging of The School of Arts,” he said.
"Next year marks the 150th anniversary of Queensland's creation as a colony and separation from New South Wales."
The School of Arts will be one of nine productions staged by Queensland Theatre Company in 2009, including: Ben Johnson’s classic, The Alchemist, co-produced with Bell Shakespeare; the Australian premiere of Yasmina Reza’s God of Carnage with Black Swan State Theatre Company; Michael Gow’s Toy Symphony with the State Theatre Company of South Australia; Arthur Miller’s The Crucible; Polly Stenham’s family portrait, That Face; and Richard Jordan’s 25 Down, 2008-09 Queensland Premier’s Drama Award winner.
The company is also bringing hit shows from other state theatre companies, such as Joanna Murray-Smith’s Ninety from the Melbourne Theatre Company and Sydney Theatre Company’s The Year of Magical Thinking, directed by Cate Blanchett.
The State Government assists Queensland Theatre Company to produce and tour its productions with more than $3 million funding annually.
For more information on the company’s 2009 season visit www.qldtheatreco.com.au
Media contact: Minister’s Office – Emma Clarey on 3237 1000
Launching Queensland Theatre Company’s program, Mr Welford said The School of Arts, would premiere as part of Queensland’s 150th birthday celebrations.
“The School of Arts, starring Brown and directed by Michael Gow, tells of the unintentional chaos caused by a band of travelling players performing Shakespeare in regional Queensland,” Mr Welford said.
“Set against the backdrop of the 1967 Referendum, the production is a comic tribute to the state’s extraordinary cultural life and it is fitting that it will premiere as part of our Q150 celebrations.
“Bille began his acting career with Queensland Theatre Company more than 30 years ago and has since performed in London’s West End and on New York’s Broadway, as well as establishing a strong film and television career in Australia.
“However, it is his early years performing across Queensland and his childhood as a stockman’s son from Biloela which have provided the inspiration for The School of Arts.”
Mr Welford said Brown was awarded a $40,000 Arts Queensland Creative Fellowship to develop the play, which opens at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) in July. The School of Arts is co-produced with QPAC and Q150.
“Our Government is pleased to support Queensland Theatre Company and has contributed $250,000 in Q150 funds towards its staging of The School of Arts,” he said.
"Next year marks the 150th anniversary of Queensland's creation as a colony and separation from New South Wales."
The School of Arts will be one of nine productions staged by Queensland Theatre Company in 2009, including: Ben Johnson’s classic, The Alchemist, co-produced with Bell Shakespeare; the Australian premiere of Yasmina Reza’s God of Carnage with Black Swan State Theatre Company; Michael Gow’s Toy Symphony with the State Theatre Company of South Australia; Arthur Miller’s The Crucible; Polly Stenham’s family portrait, That Face; and Richard Jordan’s 25 Down, 2008-09 Queensland Premier’s Drama Award winner.
The company is also bringing hit shows from other state theatre companies, such as Joanna Murray-Smith’s Ninety from the Melbourne Theatre Company and Sydney Theatre Company’s The Year of Magical Thinking, directed by Cate Blanchett.
The State Government assists Queensland Theatre Company to produce and tour its productions with more than $3 million funding annually.
For more information on the company’s 2009 season visit www.qldtheatreco.com.au
Media contact: Minister’s Office – Emma Clarey on 3237 1000