Queensland Ballet has unveiled its ambitious 2027 Season as the Company marks its annual Giving Day with a major fundraising drive to support its artists, productions and programs across Queensland.
For the first time, Queensland Ballet’s Annual Season Launch and Annual Giving Day will come together on the same day – Queensland Ballet Day, celebrating both the Company’s artistic future and the community of audiences, donors, partners and supporters who make its work possible.
The 2027 season will take Queensland Ballet beyond its Brisbane home and into communities across the state, bringing together major productions, regional partnerships, family works and some of ballet’s most celebrated repertoire. The program reflects a broader ambition for Queensland Ballet: that the Company’s artistic growth is matched by a growing connection with the people and communities it represents.
The second season under Artistic Director Ivan Gil-Ortega, will feature the Australian premiere of Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s Doña Perón: The Story of Evita; the return of Leo Mujić’s visceral Hamlet following its acclaimed 2026 season, and audience favourite Derek Deane’s Strictly Gershwin reimagined for QPAC’s Glasshouse Theatre.
Also featured will be a new My First Ballet production of The Little Prince; with narration by award-winning actor David Wenham, the lavish new production of The Nutcracker, and Icons, a spectacular showcase celebrating some of the greatest works from the classical ballet canon, alongside recent audience favourites.
Brisbane audiences will also be treated to Elegantly Wasted, a ballet set to the reimagined songs of INXS, which was met with standing ovations and excellent reviews following its world premiere on the Gold Coast earlier this year.
The 2027 season follows an audacious first season from Gil-Ortega, which saw Queensland Ballet embrace works of extraordinary scale and artistic range, from Christian Spuck’s monumental Messa da Requiem to contemporary works set to the music of Sia and INXS, alongside the creation of a lavish new production of The Nutcracker.
Artistic Director Ivan Gil-Ortega said:
“At Queensland Ballet, we believe the arts are essential to the human experience. They move people, bring communities together and help shape a stronger future. In 2027, we are quite literally sharing the stage, taking the dancers and productions to more Queensland communities, opening our doors to new audiences and collaborating with partners across the state.
Queensland is our home, and Queensland Ballet should belong to every Queenslander, whether they live in Brisbane, on the Gold Coast or in one of our regional communities.
We are delighted to partner with Toowoomba, Stanthorpe, Redlands and Bundaberg Councils to bring ballet closer to audiences and create more opportunities for communities to experience the artistry of the dancers. That is the Queensland Ballet we are building.”
The season announcement coincides with Queensland Ballet’s annual Giving Day, with the Company calling on its community to stand side by side with its dancers and team to help support the future of ballet in Queensland.
For 12 hours, from 9am to 9pm on Tuesday 6 October, every donation made to Queensland Ballet will be quadrupled by a group of visionary match donors. A $10 donation becomes $40, $100 becomes $400 and $1,000 becomes $4,000.
Also, on 6 October, proceeds from a special Queensland Ballet Costume Sale at Thomas Dixon Centre will contribute to the day’s fundraising total.
Queensland Ballet Executive Director Dilshani Weerasinghe said bringing the Season Launch and Giving Day together recognised the vital role audiences and supporters play in the life of the Company:
“Every ticket purchased, every young dancer enrolled in our Academy, every community program attended and every donation made helps Queensland Ballet continue to create extraordinary work and share ballet with communities across the state.
On 6 October, we are inviting Queenslanders to stand side by side with our dancers and our entire Queensland Ballet community as we celebrate what comes next and help make that future possible.”
2027 Season Overview
HAMLET
19 – 20 February 2027, Empire Theatre, Toowoomba
11 – 19 June 2027, Talbot Theatre
Following its acclaimed 2026 Brisbane premiere, Queensland Ballet will open its 2027 season in Toowoomba with Hamlet by Croatian choreographer Leo Mujić.
Dark, cinematic and intensely physical, Mujić’s interpretation strips Shakespeare’s tragedy to its emotional core, exploring grief, betrayal, love and revenge through the language of dance.
Opening the season outside Brisbane signals Queensland Ballet’s growing commitment to ensuring major Company productions are experienced by audiences across the state.
ICONS: BALLET’S GREATEST HITS
4 March, Stanthorpe Civic Centre, Stanthorpe
6 March, Goondiwindi Waggamba Community Cultural Centre
10 March, The Events Centre, Caloundra
13 March, The Moncrieff Entertainment Centre, Bundaberg
17 – 18 March, The Redcliffe Entertainment Centre, Redcliffe
16 – 17 April, Redland Performing Arts Centre, Cleveland
22 April, Brolga Theatre, Maryborough
14 – 22 May, Talbot Theatre, Brisbane
Queensland Ballet will celebrate the virtuosity, athleticism and versatility of its dancers with ICONS, a snapshot of ballet’s top hits, from some of the most famous ballets. From the grandeur and precision of Swan Lake to the drama and romance that have made works such as Don Quixote, Giselle, Romeo and Juliet audience favourites.
ICONS will offer both ballet devotees and first-time attendees, a taste of why these works have endured for generations.
ELEGANTLY WASTED: FEATURING THE SONGS OF INXS
8 April – 8 May 2027, Talbot Theatre
After a triumphant world premiere on the Gold Coast, Queensland Ballet’s Elegantly Wasted brings its electrifying fusion of ballet and the iconic music of INXS to Brisbane in 2027.
Bold, seductive and unmistakably contemporary, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s acclaimed new work pulses with energy, athleticism, and rock ’n’ roll swagger.
SOIRÉE
21 – 24 April 2027, Talbot Theatre
Soirée returns in 2027 exploring the vibrant world of Margaret Olley, one of Australia’s most beloved artists. Queensland Ballet once again partners with Philip Bacon Galleries and Camerata, Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra, and Queensland Ballet’s Jette Parker Young Artists and dancers from the Academy of Queensland Ballet’s Clark Graduate Program. Soirée offers an intimate and imaginative experience that brings Olley’s colourful legacy to life on stage.
THE LITTLE PRINCE
2 – 10 July 2027, Talbot Theatre
Queensland Ballet’s popular My First Ballet series returns in 2027 with The Little Prince, narrated by award winning actor, David Wenham. Inspired by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s beloved story, The Little Prince follows an extraordinary journey through distant worlds and unexpected friendships, exploring love, loss, curiosity and what it means to see the world with an open heart.
Created especially for children and families by former Queensland Ballet Principal Dancer and Company repetiteur, Camilo Ramos, the production continues Queensland Ballet’s commitment to making ballet welcoming and accessible from a child’s very first encounter with the artform.
DOÑA PERÓN: THE STORY OF EVITA
30 July – 28 August 2027, Talbot Theatre
Doña Perón explores Eva Peron’s journey from illegitimate daughter to dancehall performer, acclaimed radio personality to Argentina’s First Lady, and her untimely death in her early thirties from cancer. Choreographed by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, who created the highly successful Elegantly Wasted and Coco Chanel: the Life of a Fashion Icon.
ACADEMY GALA
4 – 7 August 2027, Talbot Theatre
A highlight of the Queensland Ballet season, the Academy Gala celebrates the extraordinary talent, dedication and artistry emerging through the Academy of Queensland Ballet. Featuring dancers from all levels of the Academy, this inspiring performance showcases a dynamic program of classical, neo-classical and contemporary works.
Beloved by families and the wider Queensland Ballet community alike, the Gala offers audiences the chance to witness tomorrow’s artists today, as the next generation of ballet talent shines on stage in a joyful celebration of excellence, passion and possibility.
STRICTLY GERSHWIN
9 – 23 October, 2027, Glasshouse Theatre, QPAC
October sees the return of audience favourite, Derek Deane’s Strictly Gershwin, a glamorous celebration of George and Ira Gershwin and the golden age of song and dance.
Created by internationally renowned choreographer Derek Deane OBE, who is currently creating Queensland Ballet’s spectacular new production of The Nutcracker, Strictly Gershwin brings together ballet, ballroom, tap and musical theatre in a sweeping tribute to some of the twentieth century’s most enduring music.
Camerata Chamber Orchestra will bring classics including Rhapsody in Blue, An American in Paris and songs from the Gershwin catalogue to life, evoking the glamour of Broadway and Hollywood while showcasing the versatility of Queensland Ballet’s dancers.
THE NUTCRACKER
10 – 23 December 2027, Glasshouse Theatre, QPAC
Choreographed by internationally acclaimed dance-maker Derek Deane, OBE, this lavish production was specially commissioned and created for Queensland Ballet for the 2026 season. Deane has reimagined the treasured story, creating several new characters and subtle plot twists that promise to surprise and delight.
Set against breathtaking new designs and costumes by renowned designer, Lez Brotherston, OBE, (Adventures in Motion Pictures), the production will transport audiences into a world where magic comes to life on stage.
Queensland Ballet’s 2027 Season and Giving Day will launch on Tuesday 6 October 2026. Giving Day runs from 9am to 9pm, with donations quadrupled during the 12-hour campaign.
Learn more about Giving Day here.
Website: https://www.queenslandballet.com.au/
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/qldballet/
Photo credits: David Kelly
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