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*The '''Lyric Theatre''' is a horseshoe-shaped proscenium theatre which seats up to 2,085. It is Brisbane's main venue for [[opera]]s, [[ballet]]s and [[Musical theatre|musicals]], including [[Wicked (musical)]] which is due to open at QPAC in January 2011<ref>[http://www.qpac.com.au/event/Wicked_11.aspx Wicked at Queensland Performing Arts Centre this January 2011]</ref>. It has received critical acclaim for its design, and hosts many international performances. The premiere production at the Lyric Theatre was ''[[La belle Hélène]]''.<ref>[http://www.qpac.com.au/at_qpac/venues/lyric_theatre/ QPAC Lyric Theatre Webpage]</ref> The Lyric Theatre is the main venue for opera performances by [[Opera Queensland]].
*The '''Lyric Theatre''' is a horseshoe-shaped proscenium theatre which seats up to 2,085. It is Brisbane's main venue for [[opera]]s, [[ballet]]s and [[Musical theatre|musicals]], including [[Wicked (musical)]] which is due to open at QPAC in January 2011<ref>[http://www.qpac.com.au/event/Wicked_11.aspx Wicked at Queensland Performing Arts Centre this January 2011]</ref>. It has received critical acclaim for its design, and hosts many international performances. The premiere production at the Lyric Theatre was ''[[La belle Hélène]]''.<ref>[http://www.qpac.com.au/at_qpac/venues/lyric_theatre/ QPAC Lyric Theatre Webpage]</ref> The Lyric Theatre is the main venue for opera performances by [[Opera Queensland]].

⚫
[[File:Wicked Brisbane.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Poster for Wicked The Musical on the wall of the Queensland Performing Arts Centre]]


*The '''Concert Hall''' is primarily designed for orchestral performances, although it also hosts a variety of other events and performances from [[jazz]] to stand-up comedy, graduation ceremonies and award presentations. The 6,566 [[organ pipe|pipes]] [[Klais Orgelbau|Klais]] Grand [[pipe organ|Organ]] built in 1986<ref name="QPAC organ">{{cite web |url=http://www.ohta.org.au/organs/organs/QPAC.html |title=Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) Concert Hall
*The '''Concert Hall''' is primarily designed for orchestral performances, although it also hosts a variety of other events and performances from [[jazz]] to stand-up comedy, graduation ceremonies and award presentations. The 6,566 [[organ pipe|pipes]] [[Klais Orgelbau|Klais]] Grand [[pipe organ|Organ]] built in 1986<ref name="QPAC organ">{{cite web |url=http://www.ohta.org.au/organs/organs/QPAC.html |title=Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) Concert Hall
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*The '''Cremorne Theatre''' is a reconfigurable flexible performance space with six configurations (proscenium, theatre-in-the-round, concert, cabaret, cinema or flat floor) up to 302 seats in theatre mode. It is especially suited to creative productions, experimental theatre, one-man plays, revues, lectures and product launches. It is, along with the Playhouse, a major venue for the [[Queensland Theatre Company]].<ref>[http://www.qpac.com.au/at_qpac/venues/cremorne_theatre/ QPAC Cremorne Theatre Webpage]</ref>
*The '''Cremorne Theatre''' is a reconfigurable flexible performance space with six configurations (proscenium, theatre-in-the-round, concert, cabaret, cinema or flat floor) up to 302 seats in theatre mode. It is especially suited to creative productions, experimental theatre, one-man plays, revues, lectures and product launches. It is, along with the Playhouse, a major venue for the [[Queensland Theatre Company]].<ref>[http://www.qpac.com.au/at_qpac/venues/cremorne_theatre/ QPAC Cremorne Theatre Webpage]</ref>


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[[File:Poster-for-The-Marriage-of-Figaro-at-QPAC.jpg|thumb|Poster for ''The Marriage of Figaro'' on the wall of the Queensland Performing Arts Centre]]
*The '''Playhouse''' is a state-of-the art venue offering cutting edge technology and stage design in a traditional proscenium theatre. It features a flexible proscenium arch, large main and rear stages, side stage, apron, orchestra pit, a Biltflor sprung dance floor, direct dock-to-stage loading and seating for 850 patrons. [[Geoffrey Rush]] starred as Figaro in the [[Pierre Beaumarchais|Beaumarchais]] play ''[[The Marriage of Figaro (play)|The Marriage of Figaro]]'' (the play on which [[Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart|Mozart]]'s opera ''[[The Marriage of Figaro]]'' was based) for the Playhouse's opening production in September, 1998. It is, along with the Cremorne Theatre, a major venue for the [[Queensland Theatre Company]]. The [[Queensland Ballet]] also makes its home here.<ref>[http://www.qpac.com.au/at_qpac/venues/playhouse/ QPAC Playhouse Webpage]</ref>
*The '''Playhouse''' is a state-of-the art venue offering cutting edge technology and stage design in a traditional proscenium theatre. It features a flexible proscenium arch, large main and rear stages, side stage, apron, orchestra pit, a Biltflor sprung dance floor, direct dock-to-stage loading and seating for 850 patrons. [[Geoffrey Rush]] starred as Figaro in the [[Pierre Beaumarchais|Beaumarchais]] play ''[[The Marriage of Figaro (play)|The Marriage of Figaro]]'' (the play on which [[Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart|Mozart]]'s opera ''[[The Marriage of Figaro]]'' was based) for the Playhouse's opening production in September, 1998. It is, along with the Cremorne Theatre, a major venue for the [[Queensland Theatre Company]]. The [[Queensland Ballet]] also makes its home here.<ref>[http://www.qpac.com.au/at_qpac/venues/playhouse/ QPAC Playhouse Webpage]</ref>


Revision as of 08:59, 25 September 2010

"QPAC" redirects here. For the university of that nickname, see Quinnipiac University.
View of the Queensland Performing Arts Centre from the Cultural Centre Busway Station
Queensland Performing Arts Centre, South Bank, Brisbane

The Queensland Performing Arts Centre (also known as QPAC) is part of the Queensland Cultural Centre and is a performing arts centre located on Brisbane's South Bank, on the corner of Melbourne Street and Grey Street, in Queensland, Australia, near the Brisbane Central Business District.

QPAC was designed by local architect Robin Gibson in the mid-1970s, after State Cabinet formally recognised in 1972 the need for a new Queensland Art Gallery and a new major Performing Arts Complex, in addition to a new location for the Queensland Museum and State Library. It was opened by HRH The Duke of Kent in 1985.

Historical background

Though the building has been in existence for over twenty years, its historical roots run deep in that the entire Queensland Cultural Centre is situated near the site of one of Queensland’s historical theatres, the Cremorne.

Originally an open-air structure with seating for about 1,800, the Cremorne Theatre was located on Stanley Street, South Brisbane, between Peel and Melbourne Streets, close to the point where the Victoria Bridge crossed the Brisbane River from the city.

It opened on 5 August 1911 with a light program of music and sketches under the title "The Dandies." The newspaper, The Brisbane Courier, reported:

"...the goodly number of patrons present noted with satisfaction this well arranged auditorium, the whole place, upon which the title of 'Cremorne' has been bestowed, wearing an air of neatness, brightness and comfort."[1]

Brisbane's subtropical climate meant that the theatre's use was frequently interrupted by rainfall and it was closed temporarily in 1917 while weatherproof awnings were erected.

The theatre was first leased and then owned and operated by John Neil McCallum, the father of Australian actor, John McCallum. During those first ten years it was used mostly for vaudeville and variety shows, and for occasional drama productions with limited success.

In 1926, the theatre was leased by Greater Brisbane Amusements and a new ceiling and seating were installed in July of that year. It continued to prosper on and off; but by 1929 it was closed, being used only for meetings and the occasional amateur theatre production. During the early 1930s, the Brisbane Arts Theatre, the Brisbane Comic Opera and the Brisbane Repertory Theatre Society used it either as rehearsal space or for the staging of their productions.

In 1934 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer converted the building into a cinema by installing a new proscenium, a screen, a new sound system, and by reducing the size of the auditorium down to 1,300. This use continued until 1940 when it returned to the presentation of vaudeville, becoming the regular venue for Brisbane appearances by artists touring Australia for Tivoli Circuit, a national entertainment entrepreneur.[2]

Then in 1943, the lease was taken over by Will Mahoney[3] and his wife, American entertainer Evie Hayes, together with American businessman Bob Geraghty. During World War II the Cremorne became a popular entertainment venue for Australian and American servicemen on leave. Mahoney and Hayes appeared on stage regularly along with leading artists like comedian Roy Rene[2], actor and comedian George Wallace[3], actor, stuntman and circus performer Jim Gerald[4], singer Olga Vernon, comedian Buster Fiddess[5], vaudevillian Peggy Mortimer[4], actor and entertainer Morry Barling, Ron and Iris Shand both actors and versatile stage performers, and chatting cartoonist "Inky" Williams. The Cremorne Ballet, a female dance group who presented a slightly 'naughty' act, commanded a good following both with local and visiting men.

After the War, the Cremorne's role faded despite occasional professional use. From 1949 onwards, local groups used it for productions. In particular, The Brisbane Opera Society and the Theatre Guild of Queensland appeared there regularly.

By mid-1952 the building had been converted for use as offices and storage facilities for film distribution companies. It burnt down in 1954 and was never rebuilt.[5]

Performance and other facilities

The Queensland Performing Arts Centre consists of four theatres or auditoriums, all venues for live performances.

  • The Lyric Theatre is a horseshoe-shaped proscenium theatre which seats up to 2,085. It is Brisbane's main venue for operas, ballets and musicals, including Wicked (musical) which is due to open at QPAC in January 2011[6]. It has received critical acclaim for its design, and hosts many international performances. The premiere production at the Lyric Theatre was La belle Hélène.[7] The Lyric Theatre is the main venue for opera performances by Opera Queensland.
File:Wicked Brisbane.jpg
Poster for Wicked The Musical on the wall of the Queensland Performing Arts Centre
  • The Concert Hall is primarily designed for orchestral performances, although it also hosts a variety of other events and performances from jazz to stand-up comedy, graduation ceremonies and award presentations. The 6,566 pipes Klais Grand Organ built in 1986[8] is the central architectural focus of the hall. The Concert Hall seats up to 1,800 and is the home venue for the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.[9]
  • The Cremorne Theatre is a reconfigurable flexible performance space with six configurations (proscenium, theatre-in-the-round, concert, cabaret, cinema or flat floor) up to 302 seats in theatre mode. It is especially suited to creative productions, experimental theatre, one-man plays, revues, lectures and product launches. It is, along with the Playhouse, a major venue for the Queensland Theatre Company.[10]
  • The Playhouse is a state-of-the art venue offering cutting edge technology and stage design in a traditional proscenium theatre. It features a flexible proscenium arch, large main and rear stages, side stage, apron, orchestra pit, a Biltflor sprung dance floor, direct dock-to-stage loading and seating for 850 patrons. Geoffrey Rush starred as Figaro in the Beaumarchais play The Marriage of Figaro (the play on which Mozart's opera The Marriage of Figaro was based) for the Playhouse's opening production in September, 1998. It is, along with the Cremorne Theatre, a major venue for the Queensland Theatre Company. The Queensland Ballet also makes its home here.[11]

The Queensland Performing Arts Centre is the main cultural area of Brisbane City, providing all the desirable facilities for the entertainment sector and contributing greatly to the cultural life of Brisbane.

Associated organizations

The following organizations present programs at the Centre: The QPAC Choir[12]; Queensland Symphony Orchestra; Queensland Theatre Company; Queensland Pops Orchestra[6]; Queensland Youth Symphony Orchestra; Brisbane Chorale[7]; Queensland Ballet; Opera Queensland; The Australian Ballet; Australian Chamber Orchestra; Australian Brandenburg Orchestra; and the Northern Rivers Symphony Orchestra.

References

  1. ^ This quote was cited from Smith, Christopher. Treading the Boards: A survey of theatre buildings in Brisbane 1847–1998, Public Programs Unit, Queensland Performing Arts Trust, 1999, p. 43.
  2. ^ This company was established in 1901 and continued operating until 1966. For a brief history, see http://www.theartscentre.com.au/discover/collections-and-research/performing-arts-collection-directory/theatre-collection.aspx?view=item&ID=2765
  3. ^ For a detailed biography, see http://adbonline.anu.edu.au/biogs/A150337b.htm
  4. ^ She also appeared under her married name, Peggy Toppano, and was invited to perform at the Cremorne Theatre by Bob Geraghty (see http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/12/12/1071125654717.html?from=storyrhs).
  5. ^ QPAC website
  6. ^ Wicked at Queensland Performing Arts Centre this January 2011
  7. ^ QPAC Lyric Theatre Webpage
  8. ^ "Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) Concert Hall". www.ohta.org.au. Retrieved 13/11/2009. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  9. ^ QPAC Concert Hall Webpage
  10. ^ QPAC Cremorne Theatre Webpage
  11. ^ QPAC Playhouse Webpage
  12. ^ The QPAC Choir is a community choir established by QPAC to promote participation in music. Alison Rogers is currently the chorus master. It rehearses on Monday nights.[1]

27°28′29″S 153°01′10″E / 27.474618°S 153.019407°E / -27.474618; 153.019407

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