Queensland Performing Arts Centre facts for kids
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QPAC
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View of the western side of the Queensland Performing Arts Centre in 2006
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| Coordinates | 27°28′30″S 153°01′12″E / 27.47500°S 153.02000°E |
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| Public transit | South Brisbane railway station Cultural Centre busway station South Bank ferry wharf |
| Type | Performing arts center |
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| Construction | |
| Opened | 1985 |
| Renovated | 2011–2012 |
| Architect |
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| Builder | Barclay Mowlem |
The Queensland Performing Arts Centre (also known as QPAC) is a special place for shows and performances. It is located in Brisbane, Australia, in an area called South Bank. QPAC is part of the Queensland Cultural Centre, which also includes other important cultural buildings.
QPAC first opened its doors in 1985. It has several different theatres where you can watch all sorts of performances. These include the Lyric Theatre, Concert Hall, Playhouse, and Cremorne Theatre.
History of QPAC
How QPAC Was Planned
QPAC was designed by a local architect named Robin Gibson. This happened in the mid-1970s. Before that, in 1972, the government decided that Brisbane needed new places for art, performances, and libraries.
When QPAC Opened
The centre officially opened in 1985. A special guest, the Duke of Kent, was there for the opening.
Name Change and Growth
When it first opened, QPAC was called the Queensland Performing Arts Complex. But many people started calling it the "Queensland Performing Arts Centre." After a while, the name was officially changed to match what people were already calling it.
QPAC started with three main stages: the Lyric Theatre, the Concert Hall, and the Cremorne Theatre. It was built so that it could be made bigger later. In 1998, the Playhouse theatre was added, completing the original plans for expansion.
A New Theatre for QPAC
In May 2018, plans were announced for a fifth theatre. This new theatre, called the Glasshouse Theatre, is being built next to the current QPAC complex. It is expected to be completed in late 2025 and welcome audiences in 2026. This will make QPAC the largest performing arts centre under one roof in Australia.
Visitors and Shows
QPAC is a very popular place. In 2017, more than 1.3 million people visited QPAC. They came to see over 1,200 different shows and performances.
What You Can See at QPAC
Types of Performances
Every year, QPAC hosts more than 1,200 shows. These shows happen in its four theatres and even in outdoor areas. You can see many different kinds of performances at QPAC, such as:
- Dance shows
- Musicals
- Plays
- Operas
- Comedy acts
- Concerts with modern and classical music
Many talented performers from Queensland, Australia, and around the world come to QPAC.
International Series and Special Programs
QPAC also brings famous artists and groups from all over the world to Brisbane. This is part of their QPAC International Series. For example, they have hosted the Paris Opera Ballet and the Bolshoi Ballet.
QPAC also has special programs for different groups.
- The "Out of the Box Festival" is for children aged 8 and under.
- The "Clancestry program" is part of the QPAC First Nations Program. This program celebrates the important contributions of First Nations of Australia to Queensland's culture and history.
Home for Local Companies
QPAC is the main performance home for many of Queensland's top performing arts groups. These include:
- Queensland Ballet
- Queensland Theatre Company
- Opera Queensland
- Queensland Youth Orchestras
- Queensland Symphony Orchestra
Many other well-known Australian groups also perform at QPAC regularly. These include The Australian Ballet and Sydney Dance Company.
Theatres at QPAC
QPAC has several unique performance spaces. Each one is designed for different types of shows.
Lyric Theatre
The Lyric Theatre is the biggest theatre at QPAC. It can seat about 2,000 people. This theatre is the main place in Brisbane to see large musicals, operas, and ballets.
Concert Hall
The Concert Hall is the second largest venue. It can hold about 1,600 to 1,800 people. This hall is mostly used for orchestra performances. However, it also hosts comedy shows, graduation ceremonies, and even rock concerts. It has a huge organ with 6,566 pipes!
Playhouse
The Playhouse theatre can seat about 850 people. It was built in 1997. The first show performed here was The Marriage of Figaro in 1998.
Cremorne Theatre
The Cremorne Theatre is a smaller, very flexible space. It can seat up to 277 people. The seating can be changed for different types of shows, like theatre in the round or cabaret. Inside the Cremorne Theatre entrance, there is the Tony Gould Gallery. This gallery shows different exhibits about performing arts, like costumes and scenery.
Glasshouse Theatre
This is the newest theatre being built at QPAC. It is planned to seat at least 1,500 people. The Glasshouse Theatre is expected to open in 2026. It will be a major venue for musicals, operas, and ballets.
| Name | Capacity | Main performances |
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| Lyric Theatre | 2,000 |
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| Concert Hall | 1,600–1,800 |
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| Playhouse | 850 |
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| Cremorne Theatre | 277 |
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| Glasshouse Theatre | 1,500 |
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Groups That Perform at QPAC
Many different performing arts groups have shows at QPAC. Some of these include:
- Opera Queensland
- Queensland Symphony Orchestra
- Queensland Ballet
- Queensland Theatre Company
- Queensland Youth Symphony Orchestra
- Queensland Pops Orchestra
- The Australian Ballet
- Australian Chamber Orchestra
- Australian Brandenburg Orchestra
- Oscar Theatre Company
- Northern Rivers Symphony Orchestra
- The QPAC Choir
