QPAC Recognised at Helpmanns

Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) was recognised in two Helpmann Award wins at a ceremony in Sydney last night - the presentation by Amsterdam's Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra (RCO) and the co-production with Expressions Dance Company (EDC), When Time Stops, choreographed by Natalie Weir.

QPAC was awarded, along with its presenting partners Arts Centre Melbourne, Perth Concert Hall and Sydney Opera House, for the presentation of Amsterdam's Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra (RCO), which was awarded Best Symphony Orchestra Concert.

The RCO made its Queensland debut at QPAC with two concerts in November 2013, in the final leg of the orchestra's 125th anniversary world tour.

"Jansons commands and the players' response is instant, the sound distinctive, the articulation infinitely variable yet exact. The RCO is an orchestral wonder. You don't have to agree with its interpretative direction to enjoy listening to it, the musical might is unmistakeable, the sound glorious." - Gillian Wills - Review Limelight 25 November 2013.

QPAC's support for local productions also received recognition for When Time Stops, which was co-produced by QPAC and EDC, in association with Brisbane Festival, with its Composer Iain Grandage taking the Helpmann award for Best Original Score.

The highly emotional piece is one of EDC's signature works, and received high acclaim from audiences. The production brought together 20 artists, with original composition by multi award-winning Australian composer Iain Grandage performed live by Queensland chamber orchestra, the Camerata of St John's at QPAC's Playhouse from 6 to 14 September 2013.

"In When Time Stops EDC has clearly shown how a larger ensemble of dancers and live instead of recorded music directly influences the final artistic product. Exponentially you get more artistic bang for your dollar! This home-grown product is a must-see of the Brisbane Festival." Denise Richardson - Dance Australia 9 September 2013.

QPAC co presentations/productions were nominated for a total of six Helpmann awards this year:

The Bolshoi Ballet's 2013 QPAC International Series season of The Bright Stream was nominated for Best Ballet or Dance Work

The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra was nominated (and won) Best Symphony Orchestra Concert

Chief Conductor of The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra Mariss Jansons was nominated for Best Individual Classical Performer

Choreographer and Artistic Director of Expressions Dance Company Natalie Weir was nominated for Best Choreography in a Dance or Physical Theatre Work for When Time Stops

Composer Iain Grandage was nominated for (and won) Best Original Score for When Time Stops

Lead Actor Ursula Yovich was nominated for Best Female Actor in a Play for Mother Courage and Her Children a co production by The Queensland Theatre Company and QPAC.

In 2013, QPAC received two Helpmann Awards for performances within its 2012 Hamburg Season, the first in its International Series presented with the support of Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ).

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