Brisbane theatre company cancels entire season

Coronavirus has broken the 95-year run of a Brisbane theatre icon. Here’s what you need to do if you’ve paid for a ticket.

La Boite today announced it will cancel all remaining productions this year due to coronavirus.

The Kelvin Grove-based company promised to work with its fans to reimburse ticket purchases, but also urged them to donate to an actor’s benevolent fund in an effort to support its creatives.

The cancellation affects all scheduled performances of St Joan of the Stockyards (May 23 to June 13), Grug (June 23 to July 4), The Happy Prince (July 18 to August 8) and Brothers

Book Club (August 29 to September 19).

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Box office staff will contact all ticketholders and season pass holders over the coming weeks to discuss options including a full refund, credit, or donating the cost of the ticket to La Boite to help the company nurture emerging artists.

La Boite was also supporting the Actors’ and Entertainers’ Benevolent Fund of Queensland, which provides emergency financial help to creatives.

Artistic Director and CEO, Todd MacDonald, said it looked at every possible option to postpone or reschedule, but the unpredictability of the situation prevented it from doing so.

“To have to cancel our season is gut wrenching. It’s the first time in our 95-year history

and it is a profoundly sad and sobering experience,’’ Mr MacDonald said.

“My heart goes out to the artists whose work will not be seen and to our audiences who will miss world premieres of some of the city’s most exciting new Australian works.’’

He said La Boite would continue to develop work with its Artists In Residence and explore digital possibilities.

“The artists, audiences and program partners involved in 2020’s season remain part of La Boite’s family and we will investigate all opportunities to work with them on creative development, project partnerships and repurposing skills and talent,’’ he said.

La Boite Executive Director Zohar Spatz said the decision gave La Boite increased ability and financial security to operate in future.

Mr MacDonald said La Boite was determined to be back again with new productions next year.

“Our priority is to develop and present vital new Australian work that seeks to represent

and engage the rich diversity of form, ideas, ethnicity, gender and identity,” he said.

“Your support will enable us to continue exploring new arts practice, engage with our community through our youth and education programs and invest in the next generation of theatre makers and audiences.”

La Boite was consulting with the Government on when it could reopen. It hires out its performance and other spaces but cannot do so at the moment.

Office hours remain from 9am–5pm, Monday to Friday, or ticket holders can contact it via email on [e-mail] or phone [phone]).

To support La Boite, visit: laboite.com.au/support

To donate to The Actors’ and Entertainers’ Benevolent Fund of Queensland, visit:

abfqld.com.au/

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