Quick Hits — Shows running 70 minutes or less

A boundary-breaking fusion of human movement and physical structures.

This is a show that will leave you breathless. Visceral and high-octane, ESCAPE blends complex, moving architectural structures with multi-talented performers to create a blood-pumping and emotional multimedia experience.

Bleachers aren't just for sitting on. Rooted in the artists’ lived experiences, Bleachers delves into isolation, connection, relationships, and belonging. Drawing from regional showgrounds and communal spaces, the work explores the human desire to be part of something — to sit together, to be together, to understand one another. Bleachers is more than a show — it's a conversation.

Playful, enchanting dance, full of mischief.

What do you get when trees, ghosts and deer combine in a mischievous mix by one of Aotearoa's most ingenious dancers, storytellers and award-winning choreographers? You'll find yourself in the offbeat, playful world of Shel We by Tupua Tigafua.

The spark of Shel We springs from the works of American writer and cartoonist Shel Silverstein — the quirky mind most famously known for the children’s book The Giving Tree and the lyrics of Johnny Cash’s A Boy Named Sue. 

Arrive in your jeans and boots, or your tuxedos and ball gowns.

A unique celebration of country music and opera, featuring arias and songs by Puccini, Verdi, Slim Dusty, Troy Cassar-Daly, Dolly Parton and more.

This is opera like you’ve never seen it before — bold, adventurous, and full of heart.

Attention: Multiple new occurrences confirmed. Healthy citizens report to safehouses by sunset. Inspired by the classic game of deception, Werewolf is a gripping blend of thriller and dark comedy, pulling you into an immersive world of suspicion, survival, and uneasy laughter.

Heart-pounding sound design, razor-sharp performances, and a daring, darkly funny style. This international cult hit asks: when night falls — who do you trust?

A powerful afternoon of storytelling, captivating conversation, and exploring how cultural legacy is passed down the generations through music. Bringing together respected Elder Graham Brady and his nephew Jungaji, Professor Chelsea Watego leads the afternoon’s discussion, spanning generations of cultural knowledge and creative expression. Through storytelling and conversation, they share the lived experiences, histories and relationships that continue to shape their artistry. Together, the Bradys will perform some of the music this process has inspired.

A heartfelt and unforgettable afternoon of conversation, connection and soulful music.

Yalanji trio, The Briscoe Sisters, bring language and song to the stage with a powerful, grounded presence and a lively conversation.  

Moderated by Professor Chelsea Watego, The Briscoe Sisters share with the audience how inspiration flows across generations, reflecting on legacy, identity, and the deep Cultural connections that shape their artistry.

Ancestral Tibetan melodies meet contemporary expression.

Tibetan musician Tenzin Choegyal will join with an ensemble of Conservatorium students to perform Be the Sky, a meditative collaboration with composer Philip Glass (Koyaanisqatsi) honouring the Dalai Lama. This 2026 Brisbane Festival co-production blends Tibetan melodic traditions with minimalist piano structures. It promises a profound, intimate exploration of compassion and impermanence, featuring intimate, soul-stirring soundscapes.

Let's get ready to rumble!

Two men hit the mat with scrappy energy, in a charged physical duet where exertion, resistance and care collide. They twist, tussle, grapple and brace — toe to toe in a work of dance-meets-wrestling that bristles with male intimacy, contest, and connection.