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
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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 1 & 2 ferry wharf |
| Type | Performing arts center |
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| Construction | |
| Opened | 1985 |
| Renovated | 2011–2012 |
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| Builder | Barclay Mowlem |
The Queensland Performing Arts Centre (also known as QPAC) is a big place for shows and performances. It's located in Brisbane's South Bank area. QPAC opened in 1985. It has four main theatres: the Lyric Theatre, Concert Hall, Playhouse, and Cremorne Theatre. It's a key part of the Queensland Cultural Centre.
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QPAC's Story: How It Began
QPAC was designed by an architect named Robin Gibson. This happened in the mid-1970s. The government decided in 1972 that Brisbane needed new places for art and performances. They also wanted a new home for the Queensland Museum and State Library.
The Duke of Kent officially opened QPAC in 1985. It was first called the Queensland Performing Arts Complex. But many people started calling it the "Centre." So, after a while, its name was officially changed to the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. All the signs were updated too.
When QPAC first opened, it had three stages. These were the Lyric Theatre, the Concert Hall, and the Cremorne Theatre. The building was designed so it could be made bigger later. In 1998, the Playhouse theatre was opened. This completed the first plans for expansion. In 2018, a fifth theatre was announced. It will seat between 1,500 and 1,700 people. This new theatre was under construction in 2018.
In 2017, over 1.3 million people visited QPAC. They came to see more than 1,200 different shows.
What Shows Can You See at QPAC?
Every year, QPAC hosts over 1,200 performances. These shows happen in its four theatres and outdoor areas. The venues are very flexible. They can host many types of performances. You can see dance, musicals, plays, opera, and comedy. There are also concerts with modern and classical music.
Many famous performers come to QPAC. These include actors, dancers, and musicians. They come from Queensland, Australia, and all over the world. QPAC also helps create new Australian shows. They also put on free outdoor events.
QPAC has hosted many famous international groups. These include:
- Paris Opera Ballet in 2020
- Bolshoi Ballet in 2019 and 2013
- La Scala Theatre Ballet in 2018
- The Royal Ballet in 2017
- Hamburg Ballet in 2012
- American Ballet Theatre in 2014
QPAC also puts on special programs. 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 role of Australia's First Nations Peoples in art and culture.
QPAC is the main home for Queensland's top performing arts groups. These include:
- Queensland Ballet
- Queensland Theatre Company
- Opera Queensland
- Queensland Youth Orchestras
- Queensland Symphony Orchestra
Many other leading Australian groups also perform at QPAC. These include The Australian Ballet and Sydney Dance Company.
Exploring QPAC's Stages
QPAC has several unique performance spaces. Each one is designed for different types of shows.
The Lyric Theatre
The Lyric Theatre is the biggest venue at QPAC. It can seat about 2,000 people. It's a proscenium theatre, which means it has a frame around the stage like a picture. This theatre is Brisbane's main place for musicals, operas, and ballets.
The Concert Hall
The Concert Hall is the second largest venue. It can seat about 1,600 people. If the choir balcony seats are used, it can hold up to 1,800. This hall is mainly used for orchestral music. It also hosts comedy shows, graduation events, and rock concerts. It has a huge Klais pipe organ with 6,566 pipes. This organ was built in 1986. In 2014, a special stage was added. This allows the Concert Hall to host more types of performances.
The Playhouse
The Playhouse is the third largest theatre. It can seat about 850 people. It is also a proscenium theatre. This venue was built in 1997. Its very first show was The Marriage of Figaro in September 1998. The famous actor Geoffrey Rush starred in it.
The Cremorne Theatre
The Cremorne Theatre is the fourth largest venue. It can hold up to 277 people. This space is very flexible. It can be set up in six different ways. You can have a traditional stage, a stage in the middle of the audience, or a flat floor. Its name comes from an older theatre in the area.
Near the Cremorne Theatre is the Tony Gould Gallery. This gallery has changing exhibits about performing arts. You can see things related to theatre, opera, ballet, and costumes. The QPAC Museum organizes these exhibits.
| 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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| New Performing Arts Venue Hall
(Under Construction) |
1,500 |
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In May 2018, plans were announced for The New Performing Arts Venue. It will be built next to the current QPAC complex. This new theatre is planned to be finished by late 2022. It will seat at least 1,500 people.
Who Performs at QPAC?
Many groups perform regularly at QPAC. 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
