Queensland Ballet is set to captivate audiences with Strings, a powerful triple bill featuring three Australian premieres by internationally acclaimed choreographers Edward Clug, Christian Spuck and Goyo Montero.
Presented at the Playhouse Theatre, Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), from 22–30 May 2026, Strings showcases a striking blend of contemporary movement, emotional storytelling and artistic innovation, highlighting Queensland Ballet’s growing presence on the international stage.
The program features three distinct works — Chamber Minds, The Seventh Blue and Chacona — each offering a unique perspective on human connection, emotion and movement while demonstrating the extraordinary versatility of Queensland Ballet’s dancers.
Queensland Ballet Artistic Director Ivan Gil-Ortega said the production reflects the company’s commitment to bringing world-class contemporary ballet experiences to Brisbane audiences.
“This is an extraordinary opportunity for our audiences. They are not only witnessing the very latest creations from some of today’s most influential choreographic voices, but they are experiencing works that are shaping contemporary conversations about where ballet is headed.”
“Presenting these premieres in Brisbane signals that Queensland Ballet is part of the world stage. We are offering our local audiences access to international works seldom seen here in Australia.”
Chamber Minds – Edward Clug
Opening the triple bill is Chamber Minds, originally created for Ballett Zürich in 2015. The work highlights acclaimed Slovenian choreographer Edward Clug’s ability to uncover unexpected beauty, humour and complexity through movement.
Set to Ballet Suite for Violin and Cembalo by Slovenian composer Milko Lazar, the ballet moves effortlessly between mechanical precision and spontaneous expression. Dancers shift from robotic sequences to casual walks and sudden bursts of movement, revealing both their individuality and their interconnectedness.
The production is further enhanced by the striking stage design of Marko Japelj, whose suspended cables transform the stage into a series of ever-changing geometric patterns — symbolic “strings” that reflect the invisible bonds between people.
The Seventh Blue – Christian Spuck
Making its Australian premiere, The Seventh Blue showcases the distinctive choreographic style of Christian Spuck, one of Europe’s most celebrated ballet creators.
Inspired by Franz Schubert’s renowned string quartet Death and the Maiden, the work explores themes of longing, vulnerability and the fleeting nature of life. Through elegant yet emotionally charged movement, Spuck creates a mesmerising visual interpretation of Schubert’s music.
The dancers glide across the stage with breathtaking speed and precision, moving as a unified ensemble while expressing the beauty and fragility at the heart of the work.
Chacona – Goyo Montero
Closing the program is the Australian premiere of Chacona by Spanish choreographer Goyo Montero.
Inspired by French author André Breton’s modernist work Communicating Vessels and set to J.S. Bach’s powerful Partita No. 2 in D Minor, the ballet brings dancers and musicians together on stage in a dynamic and immersive performance.
Featuring neo-classical choreography filled with intricate group formations, Chacona is built around tension, weight and deliberate imbalance. Despite its intensity, the work radiates optimism and vitality.
Created during a period marked by uncertainty and isolation, Chacona ultimately celebrates resilience, connection and the enduring power of joy.
A Must-See Contemporary Ballet Event
With three internationally acclaimed choreographers, three Australian premieres and a company performing at the height of its artistic powers, Strings promises to be one of Queensland Ballet’s most exciting productions of 2026.
Performance Details
Strings – A Triple Bill
Chamber Minds | The Seventh Blue | Chacona
Venue: Playhouse Theatre, QPAC, Brisbane
Season: 22–30 May 2026
Duration: 1 hour 40 minutes, including a 20-minute interval
Strings is a bold celebration of contemporary ballet, bringing together three visionary works that challenge, inspire and affirm Queensland Ballet’s place on the global dance stage.
