A Shakespearean classic, a critically-acclaimed take on an Australian novel and a play about rugby league are all part of the mix of shows being put on by Queensland Theatre in 2018.
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On Monday evening artistic director Sam Strong launched the company's 2018 season, which will feature eight shows and a host of local and national talent including acclaimed playwright David Williamson and actors Rhys Muldoon, Danielle Cormack and William McInnes.
"One thing I've always been keen to do at Queensland Theatre is what I'd like to refer to as the 'State of Origin' approach to actors, which is particularly to bring back great Queenslanders who for whatever reason might have spent some time outside of the state recently," Strong said.
"So we're very keen to bring great Queenslanders back to Brisbane, as well as work with great Brisbane talent and continue what we've been doing, which is taking the talent of Queensland and Brisbane to the rest of the country."
Along with a production of Shakespearean comedy Twelfth Night with new, original music from Tim Finn, the theatre company will premiere The Longest Minute, a play about the 2015 NRL grand final between the Broncos and the Cowboys.
"The beautiful thing about that play is I think it appeals equally to people who are absolute diehard fans as it does to people who have no idea about rugby league," Strong said.
"And that's a play that will open in Cairns and Townsville before it comes to Brisbane."
While picking festival highlights was somewhat like "picking a favourite child", Strong said he was excited about the world premiere of Williamson's latest play Nearer the Gods, which stars Muldoon and Matthew Backer.
"(It) is a play that tells the untold story of Isaac Newton, and it tells an epic historical story but brings it back to a very human reality," he said.
Queensland Theatre will also showcase two hits from Melbourne and Sydney - the Helpmann Award-winning Jasper Jones and Black is the New White.
"It's wonderful for us to bring those very commercially successful works to Brisbane audiences," Strong said.
He said the company had been keen to put more diverse stories on stage, and it was proud to have an equal number of male and female directors and writers.
"We are quite proud of reflecting contemporary society," Strong said.
Queensland Theatre's 2018 season kicks off on February 1 with Black is the New White at QPAC, and closes with a reimagining of Ibsen's Hedda Gabler on the Gold Coast in November.
For more information on Queensland Theatre's 2018 program and tickets head to its website.
