Queensland government announces new $150m performing arts theatre, designed to pull blockbusters to the state

The Queensland government has allocated $125 million for a new 1,500 to 1,700-seat performing arts theatre to be built at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre’s (QPAC).

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said that it will allow QPAC (which will be putting in the final $25 million), to attract world-class productions of musicals, ballet and opera, and international tours.

“At the moment, QPAC is bursting at the seams, its facilities are at 90% capacity, it’s the busiest theatre complex in Australia.

“In 2017 it drew 1.3 million visitors, and it has about 1000 performances a year.”

The new theatre would add an extra 330,000 visitors to the city, the government estimates.

An international competition will find the best design for the theatre, which is scheduled to be completed by 2022.

State of the art technology will allow shows to be live streamed to regional Queensland, which accounts for 30% of QPAC’s attendance.

QPAC chair, Professor Peter Coaldrake, said the new theatre “provides an exciting pathway to the future for QPAC as the leading destination for live performance in Queensland.

“Over three decades, QPAC has established itself as a leader in the performing arts and this expansion reflects our path of continued growth and optimism for an already burgeoning centre known for its work within the local community as well as nationally and internationally.

“A new theatre enables QPAC to reach new audiences across Queensland, build on the vibrancy of the Queensland Cultural Centre and grow the value of the performing arts to Queensland’s creative, cultural and tourism economies.”

Evelyn Richardson, Melbourne-based chief executive of Live Performance Australia, applauded the government’s investment in the state’s live performance industry.

She said it would help QPAC attract more productions in future, including tours from interstate and overseas.

“This creates more opportunities for audiences, performing arts companies and industry workers,” Richardson said.

“State of the art theatre space is a vital part of our live performance infrastructure, and this investment will only strengthen Brisbane’s appeal as a destination for touring productions as well as providing even more opportunity for homegrown creative talent.”

Richardson added it was encouraging to see governments recognise the economic significance of the live performance industry to local and state economies and be prepared to make the necessary investment to support its growth.

Figures from LPA showed that more than 2.5 million tickets for a live performance were issued in Queensland in 2016, and the state generated 13% of nationwide revenue and attendance.

“The development of new theatre infrastructure such as that planned for QPAC will help drive these numbers up in future, ensuring that live performance continues to make a significant and growing contribution to the Queensland economy,” Richardson commented.