Queens-land Delivers a Royal Audience for 2017 QPAC International Series

The Royal Ballet's exclusive visit to Queensland as part of Queensland Performing Arts Centre's (QPAC's) 2017 International Series has been heralded a resounding success.

A total audience of 21,606 Queenslanders and visitors experienced The Royal Ballet over 12 performances at QPAC and a one-night Gala Performance in Cairns. More than 37,500 people have to date engaged with associated events and activities including community dance programs, dress rehearsals, master classes, choreographer Insights and two free exhibitions still on offer at QPAC.

The company presented the Australian debut of two celebrated original ballets; Woolf Works and The Winter's Tale only at QPAC's Lyric Theatre in Brisbane from 29 June to 9 July 2017.

In an International Series first, 14 dancers from The Royal Ballet travelled to Cairns in Far North Queensland, wowing audiences at a one-night-only Gala Performance in Munro Martin Parklands on 12 July 2017.

Premier and Minister for the Arts Annastacia Palaszczuk said she was delighted that Queenslanders and visitors to the state have so enthusiastically embraced this significant visit by Britain's flagship ballet company and the many exciting associated cultural events.

"The Royal Ballet's performances in Queensland deliver on my Government's commitment to bring world-class performers to our state, including to regional areas, and to provide cultural tourism experiences that have real economic benefits.

"I applaud QPAC's International Series with The Royal Ballet which has created a tangible legacy for the state's cultural sector and for our communities and furthers Queensland's reputation as a vibrant cultural destination," Premier Palaszczuk said.

QPAC Chief Executive John Kotzas said the season by The Royal Ballet was an outstanding success receiving five star reviews, providing multiple opportunities for local artists to engage with the visiting company and incorporating a vast community engagement program reaching communities in South East and Far North Queensland.

"QPAC's aim when we bring the world's best arts companies to perform only in Queensland is not only for audiences to be moved by magnificent performances, but to create opportunities for people to engage with the visiting company and magnify the impact and legacy of its visit," Mr Kotzas said.

More than 250 participants and 20 Teaching Artists took part in a four-month community engagement program called We All Dance which provided workshops and masterclasses, exploring dance and movement, facilitated by The Royal Ballet's Teaching Artists in collaboration with selected community organisations in Brisbane, Ipswich, Logan, Caboolture and Cairns. The workshops culminated in two performances; one at QPAC on 2 July and the other in Cairns ahead of the Gala Performance by The Royal Ballet on 12 July. QPAC's Let's Dance also offered a fun free dance program which engaged around 1900 people.

More than 80 talented local dancers, from Queensland Ballet, Expressions Dance Company (EDC) and from across the dance industry were inspired by Master Classes led by The Royal Ballet Choreographer, Wayne McGregor and The Royal Ballet Artistic Associate and Choreographer, Christopher Wheeldon. In addition, two Creative Insights events, offering the chance to hear directly from these esteemed choreographers about the creative process behind Woolf Works and The Winter's Tale, were attended by 380 ballet fans.

The Royal Ballet visit also engaged Queensland artists, including members of Queensland Symphony Orchestra, who accompanied both ballets, and its Music Director Alondra de la Parra, who conducted five performances of The Winter's Tale. A total of 20 children aged 10 to 13 years old also shared the limelight with The Royal Ballet dancers, with both ballet's featuring children's roles. Four women also engaged as extras in The Winter's Tale.

Premier Palaszczuk said: "Audiences lucky enough to experience Woolf Works or The Winter's Tale were among the first in the world to see The Royal Ballet perform them outside of its home in London's Covent Garden. The Ballet's Queensland-only visit also marked 15 years since the company was last in Australia."

"My Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) is committed to supporting the QPAC international Series, which enables seasons by some of the world's most acclaimed performing arts companies to be secured exclusively to Queensland.

"In a wonderful addition to the QPAC performances, and a first for the International Series, a group of dancers from The Royal Ballet travelled to Cairns for a Gala Performance.

"It also marked the first time the company had performed in Cairns, with the evening a cultural highlight for regional Queenslanders which resulted in more visitors to our state to see The Royal Ballet in a unique setting.

"QPAC certainly delivered on its commitment to present a range of opportunities for audiences, artists and communities in Queensland via a broad program of events and activities throughout The Royal Ballet's time in Queensland."

Minister for Tourism and Major Events Kate Jones said the Queensland-only visit by The Royal Ballet as part of QPAC International Series proved to be a drawcard for cultural tourism and a boost for the Queensland economy.

"The Series has seen presentations by some of the world's finest companies since 2009 including Paris Opera Ballet, The Hamburg Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, France's Ballet Preljocaj, and now The Royal Ballet," Ms Jones said.

"The added bonus of a one-night Gala Performance in Cairns generaTed Further visitation and tourism spend for Queensland, attracting an audience of 2819 people including interstate and international visitors.

"For the 12 performances by The Royal Ballet in the Lyric Theatre, QPAC has attributed 36% of tickets issued to patrons from outside of Brisbane."

QPAC Chief Executive John Kotzas added: "Bringing a company of this calibre and size to the other side of the world was no small task and we acknowledge the continued support of the Queensland Government through TEQ and our International Series sponsors including Principal Partner MinterEllison," Mr Kotzas said.

"We welcomed 160 company members including 85 of the world's leading dancers, five of them Australian, for 12 brilliant performances in Brisbane and a single Gala Performance by a select group of The Royal Ballet dancers in Cairns. A total of 13 40-foot containers were shipped from London, unloaded and then repacked, around 6000 pointe shoes were used and 65 technical staff were required to present the two brilliaNT Productions.

"We thank all those who attended performances, participated in activities surrounding this 'royal' visit, and provided such positive feedback. In fact, our patron survey data tells us that 97% of audiences who attended Woolf Works or The Winter's Tale felt either very satisfied (85%) or satisfied (12%) with the overall performance by The Royal Ballet. I also commend QPAC staff for their professionalism and dedication.

"The Royal Ballet season was a highlight of QPAC's 2016/2017 year and added to QPAC exceeding its targets and achieving a total visitation figure of 1,306,656 for this period. I applaud The Royal Ballet for coming to the other side of the world and giving us an extremely memorable experience and lasting legacy from their stay in Queensland."

The QPAC International Series is supported by the Queensland Government through TEQ. It is also supported by Principal Partner MinterEllison and major partners Treasury Casino and Hotel and Aveo; Airline Partner, Singapore Airlines; Accommodation Partner, Mantra Group; Champagne Partner, MOET Chandon; and Media Partner, JC Decaux. The Series also receives philanthropic support from QPAC's Circle of Influence members, and benefactor, Mr Philip Bacon AM.

The Cairns Gala Performance was supported by Arts Queensland's Playing Queensland Fund and TEQ. It was co-presented by QPAC and Cairns Regional Council.

Visitors to QPAC can continue to have a 'Royal' experience with The Royal Ballet exhibition in QPAC's pedestrian tunnel and theMade on the Body exhibition in QPAC's Tony Gould Gallery, both free to view and running until mid-August and early September respectively.

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