World Theatre Festival generates new audiences for Brisbane

Finance, Natural Resources and The Arts
The Honourable Rachel Nolan
17/11/2011

Some of the world's most innovative theatre will be performed in Queensland in 2012 when the World Theatre Festival comes to Brisbane, Arts Minister Rachel Nolan announced today.

"The World Theatre Festival (16-26 February) at Brisbane Powerhouse brings theatre from around the globe to Brisbane, to be seen alongside the work of national and local companies," Ms Nolan said.

"The launch today of the program for the 2012 event shows that the festival is not just a time to see new theatre from Italy, India, the US and Ireland, but also for people to go to forums, masterclasss and to hear live music."

Ms Nolan said the World Theatre Festival added to Queensland's dynamic and growing events calendar with a strong focus on arts and culture, including the recently-announced Australian Performing Arts Market (APAM) which, from 2014, will be hosted in Brisbane.
"These events bring creative and economic advantages for the state and that is why the Bligh Government is investing in events such as this through Arts Queensland and Events Queensland.

"They bring together creative minds from around the world, who help us reach new heights and assist in the development of a brighter future for Queensland.
"In 2014 the World Theatre Festival will be a key feature of APAM, a biennial arts market for artists and programmers from around the world to discover new works and productions.

"These forthcoming events will provide opportunities for theatre audiences and practitioners and will ensure that Queensland's theatre industry leads the sector on a national level," Ms Nolan said.

"Queensland recently hosted the second National Indigenous Theatre Forum, held as part of the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair in August.
"The forum brought together up to 50 of the country's leading Indigenous theatre workers for two days of discussion, provocation and celebration."

Queensland Government funding helped bring the World Theatre Festival to Brisbane with the Bligh Government providing $500 000 over three years, 2010-2013.
"Last year's festival presented 80 events from seven countries with much more in store for 2012," Ms Nolan said.
For more information on the World Theatre Festival http://www.worldtheatrefestival.com.au/

Media contact: Justine Scarff 0400 367 174