A 'Royal' Welcome for the 2017 QPAC International Series

Britain's flagship ballet company, The Royal Ballet, will perform exclusively in Brisbane for the 2017 QPAC International Series, announced today by Premier and Arts Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk and Minister for Tourism and Major Events Kate Jones.

"The Royal Ballet, one of the greatest dance companies in the world, will perform the Australian premieres of two works, The Winter's Tale and Woolf Works, from 29 June to 9 July 2017," the Premier said.

"Royal Ballet director Kevin O'Hare is bringing the full company to the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) where they will perform these two highly-acclaimed works for the first time outside of their home at London's Covent Garden.

The Premier said the Queensland Government supported the QPAC International Series with funding from Tourism and Events Queensland.

"QPAC's signature International Series invites the world's greatest companies to perform exclusively in Brisbane and positions Queensland as a vibrant cultural tourism destination," Ms Palaszczuk said.

Ms Jones said the QPAC International Series had become a star performer on Queensland's major events calendar.

"Since 2009 the QPAC International Series has put the spotlight on Brisbane as a cultural tourism destination bringing exclusive productions like the Paris Opera Ballet, the Bolshoi Ballet and most recently France's Ballet Preljocaj with Snow White to Queensland," Ms Jones said.

"On average a third of audiences come from outside of Brisbane, delivering a valuable boost to our tourism industry and local economy," said Ms Jones.

The Winter's Tale, choreographed by The Royal Ballet's Artistic Associate Christopher Wheeldon, is the first full length adaptation of a Shakespeare play by the company since Kenneth MacMillan's 1965 production of Romeo and Juliet and is Wheeldon's eighth work choreographed for the company.

The Winter's Tale features designs and costumes by Bob Crowley, score by Joby Talbot, lighting design by Natasha Katz and music direction by David Briskin.

Wayne McGregor's full-length ballet, Woolf Works, which secured the 2016 Olivier Award for best new dance production, is inspired by three of Virginia Woolf's landmark novels; Mrs Dalloway, Orlando and The Waves, as well as her autobiographical writings. In November Wayne McGregor celebrates a decade as Resident Choreographer of The Royal Ballet.

Set to a new score by acclaimed German-born British composer Max Richter, Woolf Works features lighting designs by Lucy Carter, film design by Ravi Deepres, and costumes by Moritz Junge with Uzma Hameed, dramaturg.

QPAC Chief Executive John Kotzas said the International Series engaged in a long-term international creative, cultural, educational and business exchange.

"For nearly a decade, the residency model of the QPAC International Series has seen, and will continue to see, some really important cultural exchanges from these international companies with both local artists and audiences alike," Mr Kotzas said.

"Visiting artists become live ambassadors while they are in Queensland and, upon their return home, they become genuine advocates for QPAC, Brisbane and Queensland.

"Audiences have come on a journey with us since 2009; relishing a broad program that has seen grand balletic tradition united with innovation and bold artistry producing exceptional standards of performing arts experiences," Mr Kotzas said.

The Royal Ballet's The Winter's Tale and Woolf Works arrive at the Lyric Theatre for an exclusive 2017 QPAC International Series season from 29 June to 9 July 2017.

Tickets are on sale from 9am, Thursday 3 November 2016 via qpac.com.au or 136 246.

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