Bolshoi Ballet epic reaches across Queensland in free simulcast

Eight Queensland cities and towns will experience a performance by Russia’s mighty Bolshoi Ballet direct from Queensland Performing Arts Centre’s (QPAC) Lyric Theatre for free announced Minister for Arts Leeanne Enoch.

“As part of the 2019 QPAC International Series a free simulcast of Yuri Grigorovich’s Spartacus will be available on Saturday 6 July 2019 to audiences in regional Queensland,” Ms Enoch said.

“From Toowoomba to Mount Isa and up to Cairns and across to Longreach, audiences will be able to enjoy the live simulcast and see views of the stage from many different angles, as well as close-ups of the action, sets and costumes.

“I’m delighted that regional audiences will be offered the opportunity to experience one of the world’s best ballet companies accompanied by our very own Queensland Symphony Orchestra.”

The Queensland simulcast will be broadcast at Moncrieff Entertainment Centre (Bundaberg), the new CPAC Theatre (Cairns), Gladstone Entertainment Centre (Gladstone), J.L Kelly Theatre (Ingham), Longreach Civic and Cultural Centre (Longreach), Mount Isa Civic Centre (Mount Isa), Empire Theatre (Toowoomba) and Jezzine Barracks amphitheatre (Townsville).

Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said the simulcasts would open up a world-class event to audiences around the state.

“Regional communities and visitors travelling throughout Queensland will be able to enjoy this spectacular event live from Brisbane, sharing the joy of this major event across the state,” Ms Jones said.

“The Bolshoi Ballet’s performances are a highlight of the state’s It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar, which is expected to generate $800 million for Queensland’s economy in 2019.

“Opening up our major events across the state boosts Queensland’s profile as the place to experience events.”

QPAC Chief Executive John Kotzas said Brisbane’s last exclusive season by the Bolshoi Ballet six years ago was a sell-out that electrified its audience. It also enabled thousands more Queenslanders to experience a performance of Bolshoi’s Le Corsaire, simulcast live to multiple regional venues across the state.

“Since Spartacus was first performed in the Bolshoi Theatre some 60 years ago, it remains the ultimate balletic tour de force. A staple of company’s international touring schedule, it showcases the scale, power and strength of the company, and aptly captures the meaning of the word bolshoi – which literally means ‘big’ in Russian,” he said.

“QPAC is committed to making the arts accessible to all Queenslanders through live and digital formats for regional audiences.

“Simulcast audiences will experience Spartacus as seen from the best seats in the house and enjoy exclusive behind-the-scenes interviews prior to the performance.

“I urge as many Queenslanders as possible who can’t make it to Brisbane to take in this world famous ballet company in the convenience of their closest venue via the free live simulcast,” said Mr Kotzas.

The 2019 QPAC international Series will see the presentation by the Bolshoi Ballet of two ballets; Spartacus and three-act ballet Jewels in QPAC’s Lyric Theatre between 26 June and 7 July 2019, including the rare opportunity for audiences to make a weekend of it and see both ballet productions on the first weekend of the season.

The QPAC International Series is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland and features on the It’s Live! In Queensland events calendar. The Series is also supported by Principal Partner MinterEllison.

The simulcast of Bolshoi Ballet’s Spartacus on Saturday 6 July is free to attend, but requires bookings at the venue. Please visit https://www.qpac.com.au/bolshoi-simulcast

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