When the Queensland Theatre production of Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice opens in Brisbane tonight it will represent a perfect match for a group of QUT Creative Industries alumni.
Not only is the lead role of feisty, witty, heroine Elizabeth Bennet played by Maddison Burridge, who graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (acting major) in 2015, the play is co-directed by QUT alumni Bridget Boyle and Daniel Evans who took over as Queensland Theatre’s Artistic Director in November.
Adapted for the stage by Patrick White Playwright Award winners Wendy Mocke and Lewis Treston, another QUT alumnus, the cast of 12 includes four QUT acting graduates.
They are among 11 QUT Creative Industries acting, technical production, drama and dance graduates involved in the production, both on stage and behind the scenes.
Professor Damian Candusso, head of the QUT School of Creative Arts, said it was testament to the worth of QUT courses and the university’s relationship with arts institutions in Brisbane and beyond.
“It’s an extraordinary opportunity for our former students. This is the first play of the 2025 season for Queensland Theatre and the subject matter is guaranteed to attract huge interest, especially in the 250th year since Jane Austen’s birth,” Professor Candusso said.
“We pride ourselves at QUT on producing industry-ready actors and creatives. This reinforces our success rate and highlights why our acting course has such a strong reputation.
“To witness the rise of Daniel Evans from whizz kid playwright winning awards at just 16 to now taking the helm of Queensland Theatre has also been a joy. He follows in the footsteps of Wesley Enoch, another QUT drama graduate and now Indigenous Chair in the Creative Industries for QUT, who was artistic director there from 2010-2015.”
Daniel Evans said the association with QUT was extremely meaningful to him.
“It’s been brilliant to kick off my appointment as Artistic Director by co-directing this all-Queensland ensemble,” he said.
“What is even more special is just how many of the cast and crew are fellow QUT Alumni. You are where you train and who trains you. This is, in part, why these top Queensland creatives are all masters of their craft – elite artists playing at top-level for their state theatre company. I am both deeply humbled and so very proud.”
The QUT alumni on the bill are:
- Bridget Boyle – co-director
- Daniel Evans – co-director
- Lewis Treston – co-adaptor
- Maddison Burridge – Elizabeth Bennet
- Daphne Chen – Kitty Bennet
- Chenoa Deemal – Mary Bennet
- William Carseldine – Mr Bingley
- Nerida Matthaei- choreographer and movement director
- Jason Glenwright – lighting designer
- Maddison Penglis – stage manager
- Guy Webster – composer and sound designer
Following a special preview at Toowoomba’s Empire Theatre, Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice runs from 20 Feb – 9 Mar 2025 at the Playhouse, QPAC.
A number of QUT creative industry alumni are also in the running for 2024 Matilda Awards, securing more than a third of the nominations across multiple categories, including four of the five nominees for the Bille Brown Award for Best Emerging Artist.
The 2024 Matilda Awards will be presented on Monday 24th February 2025 at Brisbane Powerhouse.
Main photo: Maddison Burridge stars as Elizabeth Bennet in the Queensland Theatre production of Pride & Prejudice. Photo by Morgan Roberts
Media contact:
Amanda Weaver
QUT Media
07 3138 2361 / 0407 585 901 (After Hours)
