Live performance paused in Brisbane as Queensland Premier announces city-wide lockdown

January 8, 2021

Live performance venues across Greater Bribane are entering a three-day lockdown as of this afternoon following Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk's announcement of an attempt to halt an outbreak of a highly-transmissible variant of COVID-19.

Venues including the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) and cinemas, live theatre and other live performances will enter lockdown from 6pm today until 6pm on Monday 11th January.

A statement on the Queensland Government website advised “all non-essential businesses, such as cinemas, live theatre and any other live performances, in the Greater Brisbane area will be closed for the duration of the lockdown period.”

The measures, which also include aquatic facilities, fitness clubs and sporting venues, allow restaurants and cafes to remain open but only for takeaway purposes.

QPAC made an additional announcement that performances of Shrek The Musical from 3pm today has been called off.

Its statement advised "QPAC will communicate directly with impacted patrons via SMS and email regarding exchanges and refunds for all cancelled performances.

"Performances scheduled for today, Friday 8 January of Bluey’s Big Play The Stage Show up to the scheduled 12:30pm performance will go ahead.

"Further performance scheduling will be determined in line with Queensland Government Health directives."

The Queensland Government also noted this meant Greater Brisbane residents could not travel to attend events on the Gold Coast throughout the period.

Images: QPAC by night (top) and a map of the Greater Brisbane region in lockdown (below).

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9th December 2020 - International circus collaboration to premiere Shaun the Sheep Circus Show at QPAC’s Lyric Theatre

7th December 2020 - COVID impacts fan numbers at Stadiums Queensland venues

2nd December 2020 - 2020 Queensland Government Budget provides record funding for arts, sport and tourism

30th November 2020 - QPAC opens to 100% capacity audience with Shrek The Musical

19th November 2020 - QPAC announce 2021 program with spaces returning to full capacity

18th November 2020 - Live Performance Australia releases updated Ticketing Code of Practice

23rd October 2020 - Survey shows over 400 Australian Live Music Businesses face imminent closure

14th October 2020 - Live entertainment industry counts the cost of COVID

23rd September 2020 - Queensland’s major arts companies return to QPAC

21st August 2020 - QPAC leads Queensland arts venues in preparing for reopening

22nd July 2020 - Live Entertainment Industry Forum applauds Australian Government’s JobKeeper extension

18th June 2020 - Live Entertainment Industry Forum welcomes return of sports fans in Queensland

30th April 2020 - ASM Global to launch environmental hygiene program

23rd September 2019 - AEG Ogden’s Harvey Lister expresses frustrations at delays with Brisbane Live precinct

5th August 2019 - Fortitude Music Hall opens in Brisbane

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