Regional Queensland reaps touring rewards

Minister for Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts Ian Walker today announced six new touring arts productions would hit the road as part of the Playing Queensland Fund – Boost to Touring.

Mr Walker said the Playing Queensland Fund would boost the number of touring arts productions, extend their reach and double the number of touring arts experiences in regional communities.

“These are the first tours to be funded under the Queensland Government’s new Playing Queensland Fund – Boost to Touring, which provides an extra $3 million over four years (2013-2016) for performing arts touring,” Mr Walker said.

Four of the tours will happen this year. Abandon is a new work by Townsville’s Dancenorth going to Mount Isa, Winton, Emerald, Mackay, Rockhampton and Cairns.

“As part of Abandon, Dancenorth will also carry out engagement and educational programs at the Gold Coast, Ayr, Cairns, Rockhampton, Mackay, Mount Isa, Winton, Emerald and Cloncurry.”

Emerging Queensland contemporary musicians Leanne Tennant (Cairns), The Roshambo’s (Sunshine Coast), The Short Fall (Rockhampton), Gentleman (Moreton Bay), Double Lined Minority (Gold Coast), and Black and Blue (Southern Downs) will tour from 1 May to 30 June with each band to headline in their own community.

“Deborah Conway will also tour Mackay, Bowen, Charters Towers, Toowoomba, Chinchilla, Dalby, Roma, Charleville, Blackall, Longreach, Winton and Mount Isa during July and August.”

Fly In / Fly Out, a play for young people by deBASE Productions, explores life for teenagers in mining communities and toured Moranbah, Clermont, Capella, Emerald, Blackwater, Rockhampton and Biloela from 26 April to 10 May.

Mr Walker said Queensland Ballet’s full-length production of Cinderella and Shake & Stir Theatre Company’s original adaptation of George Orwell’s 1984 would both tour next year.

“We want to ensure the regions get to see great art, and just as importantly, great art from the regions gets to be seen by all Queenslanders,” he said.

“Getting touring right helps the Queensland Government deliver on its Arts for all Queenslanders policy.”

[ENDS] 10 May 2013
Media contact:     Alex Bernard     0417 252 563