South Bank your 2024 destination for murder, music and folk tales

If you’re looking to kick off your 2024 with a quick getaway with a world-class tale of murder and music, South Bank is the place to be.

From podcasts, to Netflix documentary series, tales of true crime have never been more popular.

But our morbid curiosities in the macabre date back decades, as to the everlasting popularity of the musical Chicago can attest.

Currently showing at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, the latest Australian touring production is a world-class production of the ‘All That Jazz’ classic, which has been enthralling audiences across the world for decades.

The cast of Australian production Chicago.

The female leads in Zoë Ventoura (Velma Kelly) and Lucy Maunder (Roxy Hart) are electric on stage, bringing to life a tale of murder and media frenzy soundtracked to tunes now known the world over.

Also impressive are Australian stage stalwart Anthony Warlow as slick lawyer Billy Flynn and Asasbi Goodman as Matron ‘Mama’ Morton.

And while he doesn’t have the pipes of the other performers in this production, comedy legend Peter Rowsthorn’s portrayal of bumbling Amos Hart proves to be a highlight for this crowd, and I expect most others that pack QPAC’s Concert Hall.

The decision to position the pitch-perfect brass ensemble front and centre for this production is an excellent one, proving an exceptional complement to the world-class performances.

Rydges South Bank has certainly got into the spirit of this tale of murder and corruption, partnering with the music to offer a getaway package for two.

Rydges South Bank.

The well-presented hotel, where we are staying for this getaway weekend, is just a stones’ throw away from the production, and includes a delectable breakfast spread at the hotel’s well-known Bacchus restaurant.

Even the hotel’s pool bar is in team with the theme, offering up a selection of delicious cocktails inspired by the iconic musical.

If you’re looking for even more dark themes with a childlike twist, you’ll want to head over to Gallery of Modern Art during your stay.

The Fairy Tales exhibition is another must-see for those spending the weekend by the river, which takes visitors on a trip through centuries of folk tales using both classical and contemporary art.

You can also see props from cult classic movies like Labyrinth, Mirror Mirror, and Where The Wild Things Are.

This quick getaway is capped off with a return to the Bacchus, where we experience an absolutely scrumptious high tea.

The reasonably priced fancy affair comes with an assortment of delicious savoury and sweet treats, and the attentive staff keep the tea flowing throughout your visit.

If you’re in need of a visit to Brisbane to check out this show before it ends, you can’t go wrong with this package.

Chicago ends its run in Brisbane on February 4, and the Fairy Tales exhibition will close in GoMA on April 28.

The writer stayed as a guest of Rydges South Bank.