2025 Season Launch | Queensland Theatre
“I do it for the love of my ancestors. I love telling stories in many forms. But theatre allows me to really connect to a story through the eyes of the characters I play.”
Extract from Theatre beats in many hearts - words by Tibian Wyles/Performer and Playwright
A four piece band belting out the popular tune ‘Ain’t no mountain high enough’ ; a gigantic backdrop arrangement of gorgeous, colourful blooms in front of which four comfortable looking chairs were placed ; lampshades of various sizes scattered across the stage complete with soft lighting.
This was the stage setting that greeted the audience as we held our collective breaths, eagerly awaiting Queensland Theatre’s official 2025 Season launch in QPAC’s famed Concert Hall, an apt choice for this momentous occasion.
Pride & Prejudice - Image supplied by QT.
Season overview - eight mainstage productions
According to our hosts for the evening’s launch Daniel Evans (Associate Artistic Director, Programming), Fiona MacDonald (Associate Artistic Director, Education and Young People), Criena Gehrke (Chief Executive Officer) and Isaac Drandric (Head of First Nations Theatre) ‘season 2025 is a theatrical love letter…’ offering up a massive line-up of stellar productions.
Romantic comedies, the Wild West, accidental attraction (a Williamson firecracker), heartfelt letters from First Nations fathers to their sons, blistering feminist history in Australian politics, the enduring power of community, the rise and fall of a dictatorship and the toxic internal culture of the US military make up this captivating 2025 season.
With the broad range of themes in mind, the upcoming season is sure to appeal to theatre lovers. Additionally, themes that stand out in the 2025 season are those that shine a spotlight on the harsh realities of feminism and misogyny (Julia), the healing power of human connection (Back to Bilo and Dear Son) and the undermining effects of leadership power struggles (A Few Good Men and Malacañang Made Us).
Pride & Prejudice will premiere at Toowoomba’s Empire Theatre before playing at QPAC’s Playhouse. Austen’s timeless wit sets the tone for the 2025 Season in a vibrant retelling of this sumptuous and enduring romantic comedy.
Calamity Jane - The Bille Brown Theatre will be transformed into an immersive old-time Western piano bar complete with on-stage saloon seating for a raucous revival that celebrates the wildest woman in the Wild West.
Rhinestone Rex and Miss Monica - The accidental attraction between two single, middle-aged people who are wholly incompatible in every way is the crux in Williamson’s comedic gem.
Back to Bilo - Image supplied by QT.
Dear Son - This celebration of First Nations manhood will feature the stage-to-page adaptation of 12 handwritten and heartfelt letters by 12 Indigenous men to their sons. These hand-penned messages of affection, togetherness and joy is based on Thomas Mayo’s titular book.
Julia is a fictional imagining of true events in the life of Australia’s first female Prime Minister. This is a revelatory re-examination of an unforgettable moment in feminist history: Gillard’s seminal 2012 speech to Parliament.
Back to Bilo - The remarkable true tale of Priya and Nades, a Sri Lankan Tamil refugee family ripped away from their adoptive Biloela home. Their story captured the nation’s headlines and is a true testimony to people power, persistence and human connection told with compassion and care.
Malacañang Made Us begins with the fall of Philippines dictator Ferdinand Marcos. This epic play unfurls over decades, countries, generations and ideologies where nearly 40 years later a family will reconnect over the conditions of love, the question of duty and the price of rebellion.
A Few Good Men turns the spotlight on the toxic internal culture of the USA military and is inspired by actual events that unfolded at Guantanamo Bay in 1986. A rousing courtroom drama and sizzling legal battle, Sorkin’s cinematic smash hit returns to the stage.
In addition to the magnificent theatrical extravaganza for 2025, Queensland Theatre has included a wealth of extras to woo patrons and creatives alike. Of particular mention is Queensland Theatre’s commitment to ensure that First Nations are provided with the appropriate technical and professional skills to continue their unique legacy of storytelling and truth sharing in their First Nations First program while the returning Undercover Artist Festival will yet again provide a professional platform where disabled artists feel safe enough to share their unique stories in a predominantly ableist setting. These are particularly important if we as Queenslanders are to progress in better understanding and accepting that diversity, inclusion and accessibility does matter, not only within our state but also for our nation.
Dear Son - Image supplied by QT.
First Nations First
The Queensland Government’s investment in Queensland Theatre’s First Nations Development Program over the next two years will work towards creating new First Nations-led theatre work as well as exciting career pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and arts workers.
In her video welcome speech, Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said "With a wealth of stories, programs and productions for audiences and communities across the State, Queensland Theatre is offering an expansive and inclusive season of work in 2025.”
Drandric reinforced the minister’s statement by adding that “In 2025, we are championing new works that reflect richness and diversity through our First Nations Development Program.” He went on to add that with a design-focussed Professional Development Program for Key Creatives, Queensland Theatre will equip First Nations artists with the skills and knowledge to excel in their craft.
New Stories New Voices
Queensland Theatre is working with a slate of playwrights and accompanying creatives on a series of enthralling stories where teams will be given the time, space and resources to present stellar works.
The company’s commitment to developing the Australian canon will continue with six works under creative and artistic development in its New Stories, New Voices initiative.
Here’s a sneak peek of the six new works under development - It’s Been a Pleasure, Noni Blake by Claire Christian ; Light book by Tasnim Hossain ; Aurochs by Kathryn Marquet ; Kitty Cleans Up by Maxine Mellor ; I AM KEGU by Wendy Mocke and Light in the Sahara by Lewis Treston.
Julia - Image supplied by QT.
The First 20
The First 20 offers a laid back and attention-grabbing showcase of brilliant local playwrights where they will share the first 20 minutes of their shiny new works that will be developed across 2025.
From farce to musicals, camel-top rides to post-apocalyptic anthems, steamy confessions from the bedside drawer to bloody tales deep north - these will just be some of the stories brought into existence for the very first time, in front of a live audience.
This teaser taster of what’s to come will unfold over one afternoon at the Bille Brown Theatre space on Sunday 9 November (12 to 5pm).
Education and Young People
Queensland Theatre’s dedicated Education and Young People’s team is committed to engaging with educators, young artists and families to increase their participation in theatre-making.
The Scene Project offers secondary schools across the state a participatory program for students to create, perform and reflect alongside professional artists.
Student Pathways Program is a free work experience tailored for secondary students that offers insights into the various career pathways available in the theatre industry.
Young Artist Ensembles targets young writers aged 14 - 18 across Queensland where they can hone their playwriting skills either online or in person.
Little Play Days encourages the littlest artists to explore stories through play alongside their parents, caregivers overseen by an incredible Queensland Theatre artist.
Theatre Residency Weeks is open to 13 - 18 year olds to collaborate with professional artists and to bond with their theatrical community. Scholarships are available for the residential drama camp in Brisbane and Townsville.
MALACAÑANG MADE US - Image supplied by QT.
Door 3
Following its success in 2024, in 2025, DOOR 3 will once again be hosting three independent Queensland based theatre collectives in the intimate indie venue, the Diane Cilento Studio. Featuring bold, raw, grassroots theatre works, the trio of DOOR 3 shows will officially be announced in January.
The nation’s premier biennial disability-led, fully accessible and inclusive performing arts festival will return in 2025. In partnership with the Brisbane Festival and Queensland Theatre, the Undercover Artist Festival promises to push the boundaries in the need for change by creating opportunities for professional artists with disability to present their ground-breaking works.
Alongside bold new work, reimagined classics, blockbusters and globally resonant events adapted for the stage, the 2025 Season program boasts world premieres, award-winning works, big-name artists, Queensland stars and unmissable storytelling.
From courtrooms to saloons, outback towns to the corridors of power, Queensland Theatre’s captivating 2025 program was enthusiastically welcomed with spontaneous, non-stop applause in celebration of reigniting our love for the power of theatre.
Check out more of Queensland Theatre’s 2025 Season here.
