Reception for the Queensland Theatre Company In Support of the 2017 Season

Kaye and I are delighted to host this evening’s special reception to thank a special group of Queensland Theatre Company supporters for their ongoing commitment to this great Queensland company; and to have an opportunity at Government House to thank our outgoing Chairman, Professor Fotheringham, for his sterling leadership of the Company over so many years. He came to the role with fine credentials, and they have marked his leading role in the development of this Company of which Queenslanders are rightly proud. And of course, we welcome Ms Elizabeth Jameson as the new Chair.

It is particularly pleasing tonight to be able to congratulate Artistic Director, Sam Strong, on the imminent launch of his first season.

Without ‘lifting the curtain’, so to speak, on the upcoming season, I am privy to some of the tantalising morsels of what we can expect: there’ll be a classic back-stage farce and a world premiere in Cairns; there’ll be the latest play by the Company’s fifth artistic director; and there’ll be a performer who is a favourite Playschool presenter!

Those of you who are more familiar with children’s television than Kaye and I may well know the identity of the Logie-winning Playschool performer, but I can spare you the trouble of surreptitiously Googling for answers because we will all receive a strictly embargoed copy of the season brochure later this evening.

There is one piece of news which I am able to share with you in advance of next Monday’s season launch: that evening will also see the announcement of a new name for the company. From the twelfth of September, it will be known simply as ‘Queensland Theatre’.

The new name recognises that the company today does much more than just present performances; it conducts important theatre education programs, it supports the theatre industry throughout Queensland, and it tours Australia, enhancing the reputation of the many talented performers, creatives, and theatre technicians this State produces.

It is truly ‘Queensland Theatre’ and I congratulate the Board and staff on this bold step. Such a decision is never taken lightly and I look forward to seeing the new name as part of the branding for Sam’s first season and to seeing the new visual identity which will accompany next week’s launch.

Once again, I thank the generous donors and sponsors here tonight.

You, more than anyone, know that only a third of company funding comes from government sources; the rest is earned at the box office or is gifted by people like you who value this company and share its vision. On behalf of all Queenslanders, I thank you for that.

Please enjoy the rest of your evening – and our Government House hospitality.