Published Friday, 07 November, 2008 at 03:00 PM
Minister for Education and Training and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Rod Welford
Final notes herald QPAC refurbishment
With The Queensland Orchestra’s final notes of Rapsodie Espagnole ringing in the air, the Concert Hall at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) will close its doors tonight for a major refurbishment.
Arts Minister Rod Welford said the Concert Hall, the Lyric Theatre, box office, bars and foyer would undergo a $34 million refurbishment over the next five months.
“Although many areas of QPAC will be closed to the public, it will be business as usual for the popular Playhouse, Cremorne Theatre and Tony Gould Gallery,” Mr Welford said.
“The qtix box office will re-locate to the Playhouse while all Cultural Centre car parks will remain open.
“The Concert Hall and Lyric Theatre will re-open in March 2009 as two of Australia’s best performance venues.
“Hit musical Chicago will show in the Lyric Theatre in March, with the legendary Paris Opera Ballet’s only Australian performances of the classic La Bayadere to follow later in the year.”
The first major works will see the re-tiering of the Concert Hall and Lyric Theatre to accommodate a new seating plan.
The upgrade of the Lyric Theatre and the Concert Hall will allow for new seating to be installed to provide easier access for people with a disability.
The Department of Public Works will manage the renovation by construction company Abigroup Contractors Pty Ltd on behalf of the Department of Education, Training and the Arts.
Mr Welford said it was a time of change across the Cultural Centre, with work to begin in January on The Edge and a refurbishment of Queensland Art Gallery’s interior galleries due for February.
“The Edge will be a unique facility engaging and inspiring the imagination, interests and aspirations of young people,” he said.
“This will be a groundbreaking facility offering resources specifically for young people.
“New flooring and paint for the Queensland Art Gallery will ensure it is in top shape to host the world exclusive exhibition American Impressionism and Realism: A Landmark Exhibition from the Met from May to September 2009.”
Media contact: Jo Crompton or Emma Clarey on 3237 1000
Arts Minister Rod Welford said the Concert Hall, the Lyric Theatre, box office, bars and foyer would undergo a $34 million refurbishment over the next five months.
“Although many areas of QPAC will be closed to the public, it will be business as usual for the popular Playhouse, Cremorne Theatre and Tony Gould Gallery,” Mr Welford said.
“The qtix box office will re-locate to the Playhouse while all Cultural Centre car parks will remain open.
“The Concert Hall and Lyric Theatre will re-open in March 2009 as two of Australia’s best performance venues.
“Hit musical Chicago will show in the Lyric Theatre in March, with the legendary Paris Opera Ballet’s only Australian performances of the classic La Bayadere to follow later in the year.”
The first major works will see the re-tiering of the Concert Hall and Lyric Theatre to accommodate a new seating plan.
The upgrade of the Lyric Theatre and the Concert Hall will allow for new seating to be installed to provide easier access for people with a disability.
The Department of Public Works will manage the renovation by construction company Abigroup Contractors Pty Ltd on behalf of the Department of Education, Training and the Arts.
Mr Welford said it was a time of change across the Cultural Centre, with work to begin in January on The Edge and a refurbishment of Queensland Art Gallery’s interior galleries due for February.
“The Edge will be a unique facility engaging and inspiring the imagination, interests and aspirations of young people,” he said.
“This will be a groundbreaking facility offering resources specifically for young people.
“New flooring and paint for the Queensland Art Gallery will ensure it is in top shape to host the world exclusive exhibition American Impressionism and Realism: A Landmark Exhibition from the Met from May to September 2009.”
Media contact: Jo Crompton or Emma Clarey on 3237 1000