Brisbane’s new theatre name revealed following public poll
The state government has given a first look into the Queensland Performing Arts Centre’s new $184 million theatre, revealing the performance space’s name ahead of its 2026 opening.
Speaking from the new theatre’s stage, Arts Minister John-Paul Langbroek revealed 43 per cent of the 5000 responses submitted into the state’s four-week-long public naming poll supported the theatre’s newest name.
He said 900 respondents had suggested an alternate option to the four pre-selected options given by the state: Glasshouse, Lantern, Watershed, or Russell Street.
A rendering of the glass facade out the front of QPAC’s new theatre.Credit: Queensland Government
“I can confirm that it’s not going to be called Theatre McTheatreface… the new theatre’s name is going to be called the Glasshouse Theatre,” Langbroek said.
The “Glasshouse” name was inspired by the theatre’s shimmering glass facade – as was “Lantern” – while the remaining two options were drawn from its location and proximity to the river, Langbroek told reporters in May.
Opening the near-complete performance space to press on Sunday, Langbroek also revealed the theatre was “on track” to finish construction by the end of the year, and welcome audiences in 2026.
“It’s going to be a wonderful extension, allowing magnificent productions… and that will be leading the rest of the nation and sometimes the world,” Langbroek said.
The Glasshouse Theatre was previously expected to open in the middle of 2025 after issues including Brisbane’s 2022 floods delayed work.
The Glasshouse Theatre will seat 1500 people, 500 less than QPAC’s largest performance space, the Lyric Theatre.
A view from the stage of Queensland Performing Arts Centre’s new Glasshouse Theatre.Credit: Catherine Strohfeldt
Remaining work in the space includes and internal fit-out of “all the details that distinguish it as a theatre”, said QPAC chief executive Rachel Healy.
At the completion of the Glasshouse Theatre QPAC will boast five total performance spaces, making it Australia’s largest performing arts centre under one roof.
The namesake glass facade on QPAC’s new theatre.Credit: Lendlease
Healy said the centre would soon reveal its 2026 opening season line-up, which would include the first public performances in the Glasshouse Theatre, and expected an “open house” for the public before its official opening.
She said the official naming on Sunday was a “very significant moment” for the theatre, adding it was apt that the public had chosen a name.
“It’s our 40th anniversary this year, and we’ve been celebrating it in all kinds of ways, engaging with the community… so, when the Minister had the idea of calling on that same community to vote for its name, we couldn’t have been more delighted,” Healy said.
“Cultural infrastructure is rare in Australia and so to be on the precipice of opening a new venue could not be more thrilling.”
Arts Minister John-Paul Langbroek with QPAC chief executive Rachel Healy and chair, Peter Coaldrake, watching a performance from members of the Queensland Youth Orchestra at QPAC.Credit: Catherine Strohfeldt
Staff, stakeholders, and media were present for the first performance in the space, from members of the Queensland Youth Orchestra decked out in hard hats and protective workwear.
Theatre employees on-site said the performance also marked the theatre’s first applause.
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