Big movements at top of Brisbane arts sector

One of the most coveted theatre roles in Brisbane is up for grabs, with an Aussie actor finishing up in the role. And Brisbane Powerhouse has an impressive new chair, writes Phil Brown in Arts Confidential.

Movement at the station … for the word has got around that La Boite Theatre Company’s artistic director and former Neighbours soapie star Todd MacDonald will finish up in December when his contract expires after presiding over a season in which, well, nothing much happened. On stage at least.

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MacDonald (below) will have had six years at the helm and that’s usually enough, for everyone. He presided after a variety of hits and misses. The biggest miss was the turgid The Mathematics of Longing which he insisted on starring in. Great title but the play was pretentious twaddle.

The hits include Prize Fighter which MacDonald took interstate. That was a triumph of the spirit, and Michelle Law’s Single Asian Female was another good one.

MacDonald says he was “grateful to have had the opportunity not only to contribute as an actor and director but also to make space for critical voices and diverse stories”.

His replacement has not yet been announced.

Also we can reveal today that Brisbane Powerhouse has a new chair of its board, the much admired and well-liked Valmay Hill, former CEO of Brisbane Festival from 2010 to 2018. She replaces businessman David Conry.

Valmay Hill joins Brisbane Powerhouse as Chair of the Board.

Hill is also on the board of the Queensland Museum Network and Queensland Symphony Orchestra, and wears a number of other hats. She may now need a bigger hat stand.