A DIVERSE and ambitious program of performances, music, dance and theatre will take centre stage at Redland Performing Arts Centre (RPAC) in Cleveland in 2026.
Highlights of the upcoming season were revealed during a launch event at RPAC on March 5 attended by guests and members of the Redland Arts Membership Program (RAMP).
Emcee for the evening was RPAC’s storyteller in residence Barbara Lowing, who said she felt privileged to witness the creative process behind many of the performances.
“I get to see the unseen magic and experience creativity from the inside out,” she said.
The evening also featured a performance by Camerata’s Brendan Joyce, who will return to RPAC later this year to present Old New Borrowed Blue on August 21, as well as perform alongside the Orava Quartet on October 25.
Mr Joyce said bringing the performances to Cleveland made it easier for audiences to enjoy high-quality chamber music close to home.
“By bringing these shows to RPAC, I did the driving for you,” he said.
Dance will also feature strongly in the program, with Kath Cadd from the Queensland Ballet community delivering a workshop series for adults and active seniors interested in trying dance.
The sessions run through until April 1.
“RPAC is one of the friendliest and welcoming places where people can experience art and make art,” Ms Cadd said.
Internationally acclaimed circus company Circa will bring its production Wolf to RPAC on September 25 after its premiere in Berlin in 2024.
Circa’s Marty Evans said the show had already enjoyed enormous success overseas.
“The show will have been performed 400 times, but this is the second venue in Australia,” he said.
“Queensland is recognised around the world as a mecca of circus.
“It is thrilling to come home and perform to Australians.”
Opera Queensland will also appear at RPAC for the first time, presenting three performances on July 16, August 20 and September 10.
Opera Queensland’s Alicia Cush said the recital series aimed to create an intimate connection between performers and the audience.
“It’s a chance to present a concert from the heart with a close and intimate relationship between the pianist and singer,” she said.
Local audiences will also be invited onto the stage through a special collaboration between the Little Red Company and the Redland City Choir in Your Song on July 2.
Little Red Company’s Naomi Price said the performance would allow community members to share their own stories through music.
“Arts is a shared experience, and live theatre can’t be recaptured. Including the community is next level,” she said.
The company will also return to RPAC with its popular festive production Christmas Actually on December 19, giving what Ms Price described as “a warm hug” to Redlands audiences for the fourth time.
Ms Price will also appear later in the year as the lead in Queensland Theatre Company’s Calamity Jane, which will be staged at RPAC on November 6 and 7.
Queensland Theatre Company’s Daniel Evans said the theatre would transform into the iconic Golden Garter saloon for the lively production.
“It’s a fast paced, completely ridiculous, joyous night,” he said.
Ms Price agreed, adding: “It’s quite the romp and a cracker of a show.”
