Queensland Ballet will take its 2027 season beyond Brisbane, with an expanded regional program accompanying an ambitious line-up of major productions under Artistic Director Ivan Gil-Ortega.

The season includes the Australian premiere of Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s Doña Perón: The Story of Evita, the return of Leo Mujić’s Hamlet and Derek Deane’s Strictly Gershwin, alongside new productions of The Little Prince and Soirée.

Ivan Gil-Ortega. Photo © Karine Grace

The company will also present its lavish new Nutcracker, first created for the 2026 season, and a celebration of some of the best-known works in the classical ballet repertoire.

It is the second season under Gil-Ortega, whose first year at the helm encompassed productions ranging from Christian Spuck’s Messa da Requiem to contemporary works set to music by Sia and INXS.

Queensland Ballet’s Hamlet (Georgia Swan and Joseph Moss). Photo © David Kelly

Regional touring will be a significant feature of the 2027 program, with Hamlet opening the season at Toowoomba’s Empire Theatre, 19-20 February, before returning to Brisbane’s Talbot Theatre from 11–19 June. ICONS will also tour Stanthorpe, Goondiwindi, Caloundra, Bundaberg, Redcliffe, Cleveland and Maryborough between 4 March and 22 April, ahead of a Brisbane season from 14–22 May .

Queensland Ballet has also announced partnerships with Toowoomba and Bundaberg councils as part of its commitment to bringing major company productions and performances to regional audiences.

“Queensland is our home, and Queensland Ballet should belong to every Queenslander, whether they live in Brisbane, on the Gold Coast or in one of our regional communities,” Gil-Ortega said.

“In 2027, we are quite literally sharing the stage, taking our dancers and productions to more Queensland communities, opening our doors to new audiences and collaborating with partners across the state.”

Among the season’s major offerings, Elegantly Wasted, Lopez Ochoa’s ballet set to the music of INXS, transfers from its Gold Coast world premiere to Brisbane’s Talbot Theatre from 8 April 8 to 8 May.

Doña Perón: The Story of Evita. Image supplied

The choreographer returns with Doña Perón: The Story of Evita, which traces Eva Perón’s rise from an illegitimate daughter and aspiring performer to Argentina’s First Lady. The Australian premiere runs from 30 July to 28 August.

A new Soirée, presented in partnership with Philip Bacon Galleries and Camerata, Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra, explores the colourful world of Australian artist Margaret Olley. The production, featuring Queensland Ballet dancers and emerging artists, runs from 21-24 April .

Soirée. Image supplied

For younger audiences, former Queensland Ballet principal dancer Camilo Ramos creates The Little Prince, a new instalment in the company’s My First Ballet series, inspired by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s much-loved story. It runs from 2-10 July.

October brings Deane’s Strictly Gershwin to QPAC’s Glasshouse Theatre, combining ballet, ballroom, tap and musical theatre in a celebration of George and Ira Gershwin, with Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra performing music including Rhapsody in Blue and An American in Paris.

Deane also choreographs the company’s Nutcracker, which returns to the Glasshouse Theatre from 10-23 December, with designs and costumes by Lez Brotherston.

The season additionally includes the Academy Gala (4-7 August), showcasing classical, neo-classical and contemporary works performed by students of the Academy of Queensland Ballet.

For more information on Queensland Ballet in 2027, visit