STAGE SET FOR GRAND REVEAL

Weather won’t dampen spirits on CPAC’s big night

THIS NEW VENUE WILL GIVE CAIRNS THE OPPORTUNITY TO HOST BIGGER SHOWS AND ALLOW FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND ARTISTS AND AUDIENCES TO EMBRACE CREATIVITY AND EXPERIENCE UNIQUE STORIES ARTS MINISTER LEEANNE ENOCH

AFTER three years, $71.5 million and a dramatic birth of Shakespearean proportions, it is fitting the jewel of the city’s artistic and cultural endeavours should open under a literal storm cloud.

Rain, hail or shine, the Cairns Performing Arts Centre will tonight open its curtains for the first time before an audience of special invitees.

Cairns Regional Council Mayor Bob Manning is adamant a predicted drenching will not turn people away from what promises to be a historic night of entertainment.

“This is Far North Queensland and we’re not going to let a bit of rain ruin this very important milestone event,” he said.

A cast of about 500 performers have been practising ahead of tonight. It begins with Symphony for

Tomorrow – a piece of music composed by 15-year-old musician Amber Farnan from Redlynch State College and presented by the North Queensland Philharmonic Orchestra with the Cairns State High School Symphony Orchestra and Cairns State High School Chorale.

Also taking to the stage will be Sounds of Austranesia, standout pieces from the Cairns Junior Eisteddfod, a selection of local choirs and bands, plus an excerpt from the Cairns Choral Society’s Wick

ed – which will become the first full-length production staged at CPAC in January.

“There a strong emphasis on youth,” Cr Manning said.

“They are the performers who will be honing their skills on this stage and entertaining us for years to come.”

Cairns singing teacher Joanne Wright performed as a child on the Cairns Civic Theatre’s opening night in 1974.

Now she is conducting the massed youth choir at the theatre’s lavish new replacement.

She took about 180 of the youngsters to see the 940-seat theatre earlier this week and ran a dress rehearsal last night.

“They were all big eyes, looking around,” she said.

The list of guests at the invite-only performance include Queensland Governor Paul de Jersey, Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack and Queensland Arts Minister Leeanne Enoch.

“This new venue will give Cairns the opportunity to host bigger shows and allow Far North Queensland artists and audiences to embrace creativity and experience unique stories,” Ms Enoch said.

The controversy that has dogged the centre’s construction process – chiefly relating to the fire safety of external aluminium composite cladding – will be pushed to one side for a night of celebration.

The mayor’s bullish commitment to opening the theatre despite the threat of a cyclone did not extend to the free outdoor Jazz Under the Vines concert that was planned to coincide across the road at Munro Martin Parklands.

The event has been cancelled, leaving the general public unable to participate in the momentous occasion.

The full gala opening will be live streamed on the Cairns Performing Arts Centre Facebook page.