Funding-Match Program announced by the State Government

In January 2011, a massive flood event brought Brisbane to a standstill; it ravaged Toowoomba, laid bare communities throughout the Lockyer Valley and devastated homes, businesses, public spaces and archives all over South East Queensland. 

Queensland Theatre Company, like many organisations and individuals, suffered a huge loss. The performance studio, seating bank and artist facilities were extensively damaged, and a huge amount of costumes, props and furniture were ruined by the 1.2m of flood waters that inundated the Bille Brown Studio (performance & rehearsal venue), public foyers, rehearsal Studio 2, kitchen facilities, carpark and storage areas.

As the flood waters subsided however, a sense of community was immediately born. A small army materialised to help – carrying mops and buckets and buoyed with the best of goodwill, this team of local artists, loyal patrons and new friends helped clear the building at 78 Montague Street – QTC’s home for the past 10 years - of mud and debris, and salvaged where possible.  QTC owes these people an enormous debt of gratitude. In all $651,000 worth of furniture, props and costumes were destroyed.

While QTC continues to move forward with critical acclaim for artistic direction, and commercial success for the Mainhouse program, the effects of the floods remain. There is an ongoing impact on production costs, with the company devoid of their reservoir of resources to recycle. The situation has also substantially limited QTC’s ability to support the many small to medium arts companies and independent artists to whom they regularly loan props and costumes, as part of QTC’s leadership role in Queensland.

The $150,000 funding-match program, announced today by the Queensland State Government*, will enable QTC to begin the renewal process in earnest; developing the central bank of props and costumes and staging infrastructure so needed. An example of vital equipment lost is the motor from QTC’s large revolve (used in Managing Carmen) and to be used again in End of the Rainbow; QTC has just finished rebuilding this at a cost of $35,000.
*The arrangement will see the Queensland Government matching funds raised by QTC to $150,000; it’s a strong message to advocates of arts and culture that QTC needs their support to realise this Government funding.

Queensland Theatre Company – Success & Season 2013
QTC will officially begin Season 2013 on February 2 with The Pitch & The China Incident. These two companion pieces written by acclaimed Australian writer Peter Houghton are an actor’s dream; tour de force roles with Hugh Parker fresh from rave reviews in QTC’s Kelly in The Pitch and Barbara Lowing in The China Incident.

Artistic Director Wesley Enoch has engineered a 2013 onstage journey that will take ticketholders around the world, shine the light on home grown talents and create theatrical moments of national importance across a world of love, art, laughter, drama, catharsis, glamour, song and adventure.

Enoch’s inaugural Season 2012 proved a bestseller – despite the company being so adversely affected by the 2011 Flood Event. His invitation for patrons to join him on a journey, led by a mix of classics, new comedies and big theatre experiences was a winner - 1000 new subscribers; 10,000 more tickets sold; a 13% increase in box office revenue, and a range of new works that challenged, entertained and enlightened; all in a year of buyer caution and a show stopping competitive set.

The Mainhouse program in 2013 features seven productions, including six-time Tony-award winning masterpiece Red starring Colin Friels;  David Ives’ deliciously sassyTony award nominee Venus in Fur with Todd MacDonald & Libby Munro; the blockbuster End of the Rainbow with powerhouse actor Christen O’Leary brilliantly cast as Judy Garland in her final troubled days, and the epic morality tale Mother Courage and Her Children in a stunning new translation with Ursula Yovich & David Page.

Continuing the exploration of relationships and reality, Other Desert Cities (five-time nominated 2012 Tony Awards and 2012 Pulitzer Prize Drama finalist) will star Robert Colby and Rebecca Davis in the family drama where hidden secrets are laid bare; while popular Noel Coward comedy Design for Living will see Jason Klarwein and partner Kellie Lazarus form a “gentleman’s agreement” with Tama Matheson.

Outside the Mainhouse program, The GreenHouse is QTC’s home, where you can experience a broad range of activity and investment in the training, development and exposure of grass roots performance. The brainchild of Enoch, The GreenHouse is a visceral incubator of art, ideas and exploration. 1001 Nights (a co-production with Queensland Music Festival and ZenZenZo)and Trollop (winner of the Queensland Premier’s Drama Award) are two highlights of the 2013 program.