The Empire and Queensland Ballet announce three-year partnership

Opening Queensland Ballet’s 2027 season at Toowoomba’s Empire Theatre on 19–20 February, Hamlet marks an important milestone in the Company’s commitment to sharing major productions with audiences beyond Brisbane.

The Empire CEO, Giuliana Bonel said she was delighted to announce the three-year partnership between The Empire and Queensland Ballet which will see the state ballet company resident in Toowoomba each year from 2027-2029.

"The timing of this partnership makes it even more special, with 2027 marking 30 years since the restored Empire Theatre reopened its doors,” she said.

"Having Queensland Ballet open its 2027 season in Toowoomba with its acclaimed production of Hamlet is a wonderful way to celebrate this milestone and a powerful opening to this significant new chapter for The Empire and Queensland Ballet.”

Queensland Ballet Artistic Director, Ivan Gil-Ortega said the partnership between Queensland Ballet and The Empire is founded on a shared commitment which currently includes performances from the mainstage Company as well as a three-day community and education program.

“We want to build a network of Toowoomba Community Champions who will advocate for Queensland Ballet and take ownership of a collective investment in the region’s cultural future. Through our public-private partnership model, we invite local businesses, donors and community supporters to match Council’s investment, creating a shared commitment and a lasting legacy for Toowoomba,” Gil-Ortega said.

Described as “Shakespeare at its most beautiful” by The Scoop and a “world-class production” by InDaily, Hamlet was met with critical acclaim when it premiered at Queensland Ballet’s Thomas Dixon Centre in June 2026.

Created by Croatian choreographer Leo Mujić, the two-act dance drama set to the haunting music of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and Camille Saint-Saëns transforms Shakespeare’s tragedy through movement, with costumes by Manuela Paladin Šabanović and powerful staging by Stefano Katuna, Hamlet explores the betrayal, grief, love and revenge at the heart of Shakespeare’s enduring story.

Gil-Ortega said bringing Hamlet to regional Queensland would give new audiences the opportunity to experience one of the standout productions of the Company’s 2026 season.

“Hamlet had an extraordinary response when we premiered it in Brisbane, and I am delighted that in 2027 we can take this powerful production beyond our home and share it with audiences across Queensland.”

“Dance makes Shakespeare immediate and visceral. This virtuosic dance-drama propels audiences into a world of betrayal and trickery, where ghosts and humans collide and the emotions at the heart of the story are expressed through movement."

“I have known Leo Mujić for many years and watched him become a master storyteller. His cinematic style captivates audiences and draws them into the drama, creating a deeply immersive experience.”

Mujić said Shakespeare’s Hamlet, despite being written more than 400 years ago, continues to resonate with contemporary audiences.

“Hamlet has become a symbol of humanity and all the qualities that characterise us – love, doubt, despair, humour, courage and the fight for truth.”

“In the choreographic process, I am most interested in transforming the spoken word into gestures, choreographed sequences, emotional duets and dynamic group scenes. This allows me to bring a new depth and empathy to the characters.

“Through my choreography, I aim to capture Hamlet’s psychological states – his sense of betrayal, his grief and quest for revenge – and Ophelia’s lack of power and agency. The steps become a reflection of their inner turmoil, revealing what words cannot express.”

Gil-Ortega said opening the 2027 season in Toowoomba was particularly significant as Queensland Ballet expands its presence across the state.  

“Shakespeare’s works lend themselves beautifully to new interpretations, and Hamlet will be an unforgettable experience for Toowoomba audiences."  

Hamlet tells the story of a young prince who returns home to Denmark to discover his father, the King, is dead, his uncle has taken the throne and married his mother. As Hamlet seeks the truth and fights to reclaim his rightful place, he must grapple with demons both internal and external.