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The curtain is rising on a new era for Queensland! With the countdown to the 2032 Brisbane Olympics in full swing, the Sunshine State is rolling out a string of major projects – from the proposed Infinity Planet entertainment city (complete with Australia’s newest theme park), to the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line and more than 30 new hotels. But first up: the official opening of Australia’s largest performing arts centre under one roof.
On March 7, Brisbane's Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) will unveil the long-awaited Glasshouse Theatre – its fifth and newest venue, featuring a 1,500-seat theatre, two new studios, and expansive foyer areas designed for both performance and community events.
Seven years in the making, the $184 cultural marvel faced four years of delays due to the 2022 Brisbane floods and other construction challenges. But the wait has been worth it, with the theatre expected to boost QPAC’s annual visitation by 300,000, bringing total attendance to an impressive 1.6 million each year.
The Glasshouse Theatre is set to host world-class performances that live up to the awe of its striking facade. Reaching 14 metres high, the rippled glass design – created by Brisbane-based architects Blight Rayner in collaboration with Snøhetta (Oslo) – was chosen from 24 entries in an international competition held in 2019. These ripples nod to the nearby Brisbane River, while also echoing the flowing lines of theatre drapes and stage curtains.
Inside and out, the materials draw inspiration from Queensland’s natural beauty: 3,000 square metres of rainforest-green carpet, 90 tonnes of grey ironbark timber and 6,300 square metres of sand-coloured concrete that mirrors the state’s sun-drenched beaches. Adding a touch of local artistry, Cairns-based sculptor Brian Robinson has created Floriate, a heroic four-metre-high bronze sculpture inspired by Queensland’s native flora and its deep connection to First Nations Peoples, which will proudly welcome guests in the external entry plaza.
Brisbane’s Glasshouse Theatre will officially open to the public for a free Community Day on Saturday, March 7, offering guided tours, pop-up performances and a first look at the theatre’s two bars.
From March 27, this Queensland icon will begin hosting world-class touring productions and companies, including the Southern Hemisphere debut of The Last Ship, composed by and starring 17-time Grammy-winning artist Sting (April 9 to May 3). We can’t wait to see which big names take the stage next!
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