CLEANING UP: Queensland Theatre Company's general manager Libby Anstis at the South Brisbane offices after the flood. Picture: Suzanna Clarke. Source: The Courier-Mail
FIVE more season-opening performances of the hit musical Wicked have been cancelled after the riverside QPAC battles to recover from last week's flood.
Ticket providers have promised to contact those with tickets to the postponed performances - tonight (Tuesday, January 18) at 6.30pm; tomorrow (Wednesday January 19) at 1.30pm and 7.30pm; on Thursday (January 20) at 7.30pm and on Friday (January 21) at 7.30pm - to make alternative arrangements.
In a statement to media late on Tuesday, Wicked producers said they were working with QPAC to determine a date that performances can recommence and promised to keep providing updates as further information comes to hand.
"Thank you for your understanding and patience in these difficult times for all Queenslanders," they said in the statement.
Meanwhile, with a metre of water through the ground floor of the Queensland Performing Arts Complex at South Bank, the Queensland Theatre Company was one of the worst casualties of flooding in the Brisbane arts community.
The building's basement and carpark and whole ground floor - containing the Bille Brown Studio and two rehearsal studios - was inundated.
Supervising the clean-up, general manager Libby Anstis said: "We got our sound gear and valuables up to the third level, but what you can't prepare for is metres of water and the terrible damage right throughout the building.
"It may be out of commission for some time.''
Rehearsals for QTC's first show of the season, Sacre Bleu due to open on February 7 at the Cremorne Theatre, have moved to Queensland University of Technology.
"The best thing we can do right now is be ready to bring some much-needed cheer to Brisbane,'' Anstis said.
"People can support us by buying tickets.''
At the South Bank arts precinct, Queensland Art Gallery director Tony Ellwood said: "We got a few inches of water into the GoMA cafe and the Children's Art Centre.''
No artworks were damaged because gallery staff, in a ``massive undertaking'', had moved ground-floor items to the first level.
The carparks and some back-of-house areas have been damaged and QAG will be closed for some weeks.
The Queensland Performing Arts Centre had its basement and car parks flooded.
"There was no water in our public areas,'' said director John Kotzas.
However lack of power has been a serious problem. Performances postponed this week include Harvest Rain's Aladdin and his Mysterious Magical Lamp and Ballet Theatre of Queensland's Alice in Wonderland and the Whitlams with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.
The State Library of Queensland escaped virtually unscathed, but water entered the first floor of The Edge Digital Culture Centre, reportedly causing minor damage. The precinct remains closed.
Opera Queensland also had its carpark and basement flooded.
The Queensland Symphony Orchestra and Queensland Ballet buildings were unaffected, as was La Boite Theatre.
At New Farm, Brisbane Powerhouse staff say they were "exceptionally lucky''. Spokesperson Rachael Morgan said: "There was no water in the main parts of the building.''
The Visy theatre foyer got a soaking, but there was no major damage and the World Theatre Festival will go ahead on February 9.
"If any ticket holders affected by the floods can't make it to shows, they will have their money refunded,'' Morgan said.
At Moorooka, Raw Dance Company lost everything on the ground floor. "Our insurance policies do not include payouts for flood damage,'' said creative producer Andrew Fee.
Harvest Rain Theatre Company has initiated a volunteer register, so arts companies affected can access help. More than 700 skilled and unskilled people have registered.
Info: www.harvestrain.com.au
