Brisbane Festival has today offered its first glimpse of what’s to come in 2026, announcing that the runaway West End hit and Olivier Award-nominee, The Choir of Man, will bring its irresistible, roof-raising celebration of community and music to South Bank Cultural Forecourt from 3 – 13 September for its Queensland premiere.
This strictly limited season sees The Choir of Man play in the iconic Magic Mirrors Spiegeltent, which returns to Brisbane after a six-year hiatus.
The Choir of Man UK touring company will transform the iconic pop-up venue into the world’s greatest pub, complete with a working on-stage bar and plenty of flowing beer.
New Brisbane Festival Artistic Director Ebony Bott shared a sneak peek of her vision for this year’s festival, designed to take the city from first light to after dark:
“Brisbane Festival 2026 moves with the rhythm of the city – from first light to late night – creating space for people to gather, connect and revel. Bringing the Festival back to the Cultural Forecourt allows us to establish a true civic heart. With the Magic Mirrors Spiegeltent at its centre we are building a high-energy Festival Village that feels intimate, generous and alive.
The Choir of Man leads the program because it captures that spirit so completely. It is exceptional, full of drive and vitality, and transforms the venue into something shared, like a neighbourhood local lifted to a world-class stage.”
Created by Andrew Kay and Nic Doodson, The Choir of Man first premiered at Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2017. It spent five years on London’s West End and later toured the globe, including sit down seasons in Chicago and three sold out seasons at Sydney Opera House. To date, over 3 million people worldwide have experienced the uplifting celebration of community and song.
Since its Australian debut in 2019, The Choir of Man has played to packed out houses in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide. The hit show was originally set to open in Brisbane in April 2020 but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic just days before its first performance.
Now, the global sensation will have its long-awaited Queensland premiere, with six extraordinarily talented singers, instrumentalists and wordsmiths delivering roof-raising interpretations of hits. These span Queen, Adele, Sia, Paul Simon, Luther Vandross, Guns N’ Roses, Avicii and Katy Perry.
Moving effortlessly between hair-raising harmonies, foot-stomping singalongs and tender moments of connection, The Choir of Man has cemented itself as a bonafide crowd pleaser wherever it travels.
Minister for Education and the Arts John-Paul Langbroek congratulated Artistic Director, Ebony Bott, on this exciting announcement which will form part of her first Brisbane Festival program:
“The Crisafulli Government proudly supports the Brisbane Festival in bringing the internationally acclaimed The Choir of Man to our state, marking its Queensland debut in the iconic Spiegeltent.
Major events like this reinforce Queensland’s growing reputation as a vibrant arts destination, preparing us for the global spotlight of Brisbane 2032 and its important role in shaping our cultural legacy and creative economy.
Brisbane Festival is a highlight on the state’s cultural calendar. It helps deliver on the priorities of our arts strategy, Queensland’s Time to Shine, by providing extraordinary arts experiences for Queenslanders, and visitors to the state.”
Minister for the Environment and Tourism, Andrew Powell MP said Brisbane Festival was a major driver of visitation and economic activity for Queensland:
“Events like Brisbane Festival are exactly what make Queensland an events capital, bringing thousands of visitors into our cities and supporting local jobs and businesses.
With more than 23,000 visitors and nearly 120,000 visitor nights expected, the announcement of The Choir of Man gives travellers another reason to book a trip to Brisbane ahead of the full program reveal.
The Crisafulli Government is backing major events that fill hotels, support hospitality, and deliver real returns for Queensland’s tourism industry.”
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the popular show would be the perfect way to kick off Brisbane Festival 2026:
“The Choir of Man taps right into the sense of community and togetherness that makes our city so special. With a hugely talented UK cast performing in the heart of South Bank, it’s a fantastic live experience and a great example of the kind of world-class acts flocking to Brisbane.
Show-stopping performances like this bring more people into our precincts, supporting local businesses and keeping the city buzzing all month long. Events like this help cement Brisbane’s reputation as Australia’s lifestyle capital and a great place to get out and try something new.”
Magic Mirrors Spiegeltent will form the centerpiece of a reimagined South Bank Cultural Forecourt hub: Festival Village. Offering programming from first light to after dark throughout September.
A must-visit gathering place for eating, drinking, discovering and lingering, the Festival Village will encompass multiple venues, indoor and outdoor performance spaces, hospitality options and many more areas to play, dance and dine.
General tickets for The Choir of Man are on sale from 24 April via QTIX.
Brisbane Festival runs 4-26 September 2026. The full program will be announced on 10 June.
Website: https://www.brisbanefestival.com.au/
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/brisbanefestival/
Images supplied.
