Queensland Ballet has announced its 2027 season, featuring an Australian premiere, new productions, returning audience favourites and performances in regional communities across Queensland.
The second season under Artistic Director Ivan Gil-Ortega will include the Australian premiere of Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s Doña Perón: The Story of Evita; the return of Leo Mujić’s Hamlet, following its acclaimed 2026 season; and Derek Deane’s Strictly Gershwin, reimagined for QPAC’s Glasshouse Theatre. The program also features a new My First Ballet production of The Little Prince, narrated by award-winning actor David Wenham, a new production of The Nutcracker and Icons, celebrating some of classical ballet’s best-known works.
Brisbane audiences will also have the opportunity to see Elegantly Wasted, a ballet set to reimagined songs by INXS, following its world premiere on the Gold Coast earlier this year.
The season will extend beyond Brisbane, with performances and regional partnerships bringing Queensland Ballet productions to audiences in Toowoomba, Stanthorpe, Redlands, Bundaberg and other communities across the state.
“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,” Gil-Ortega said.
“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 follows Gil-Ortega’s first year as Artistic Director, which featured works spanning a range of styles and scales, from Christian Spuck’s Messa da Requiem to contemporary works set to music by Sia and INXS, alongside the creation of a new production of The Nutcracker.
Queensland Ballet opens its 2027 season in Toowoomba with Hamlet at the Empire Theatre on 19–20 February, before the production returns to Brisbane’s Talbot Theatre from 11–19 June.
Icons: Ballet’s Greatest Hits will tour regional venues in March and April before playing Brisbane’s Talbot Theatre from 14–22 May. The program draws on celebrated works from the classical repertoire, including Swan Lake, Don Quixote, Giselle and Romeo and Juliet.
Elegantly Wasted, choreographed by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and set to the music of INXS, will run at Talbot Theatre from 8 April–8 May. From 21–24 April, Soirée will return with a new production inspired by the work of Australian artist Margaret Olley, created in partnership with Philip Bacon Galleries and Camerata, Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra.
The family-friendly The Little Prince, created by former Queensland Ballet Principal Dancer Camilo Ramos, will run from 2–10 July at Talbot Theatre, followed by the Australian premiere of Doña Perón: The Story of Evita from 30 July–28 August.
The Queensland Ballet Academy Gala will take place from 4–7 August, showcasing emerging dancers in a program of classical, neo-classical and contemporary works.
In October, Strictly Gershwin will bring ballet, ballroom, tap and musical theatre together in a celebration of George and Ira Gershwin, accompanied by Camerata Chamber Orchestra. The production runs at QPAC’s Glasshouse Theatre from 9–23 October.
The season concludes with Derek Deane’s lavish production of The Nutcracker, featuring designs and costumes by Lez Brotherston, at the Glasshouse Theatre from 10–23 December.
Explore Queensland Ballet’s full 2027 season, including performance dates and ticket information, at www.queenslandballet.com.au.
