Brisbane Festival has offered its first glimpse of what’s to come in 2026, announcing the runaway West End hit and Olivier Award-nominee, The Choir of Man, will bring its irresistible, roof-raising celebration of community and music to South Bank Cultural Forecourt from 3 – 13 September for its Queensland premiere.
This strictly limited season sees The Choir of Man play in the iconic Magic Mirrors Spiegeltent, which returns to Brisbane after a six-year hiatus. The Choir of Man UK touring company will transform the iconic pop-up venue into the world’s greatest pub, complete with a working on-stage bar and plenty of flowing beer.
New Brisbane Festival Artistic Director Ebony Bott shared a sneak peek of her vision for this year’s festival, designed to take the city from first light to after dark: “Brisbane Festival 2026 moves with the rhythm of the city – from first light to late night – creating space for people to gather, connect and revel,” said Bott.
“Bringing the Festival back to the Cultural Forecourt allows us to establish a true civic heart, and with the Magic Mirrors Spiegeltent at its centre we are building a high-energy Festival Village that feels intimate, generous and alive.”
“The Choir of Man leads the program because it captures that spirit so completely. It is exceptional, full of drive and vitality, and transforms the venue into something shared, like a neighbourhood local lifted to a world-class stage,” said Bott.
Created by Andrew Kay and Nic Doodson, The Choir of Man first premiered at Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2017 before spending five years on London’s West End and later touring the globe, including sit down seasons in Chicago and three sold out seasons at Sydney Opera House. To date, over 3 million people worldwide have experienced the uplifting celebration of community and song.
Since its Australian debut in 2019, The Choir of Man has played to packed out houses in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide. The hit show was originally set to open in Brisbane in April 2020 but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic just days before its first performance.
Now, the global sensation will have its long-awaited Queensland premiere, with six extraordinarily talented singers, instrumentalists and wordsmiths delivering roof-raising interpretations of hits spanning Queen, Adele, Sia, Paul Simon, Luther Vandross, Guns N’ Roses, Avicii and Katy Perry.
Moving effortlessly between hair-raising harmonies, foot-stomping singalongs and tender moments of connection, The Choir of Man has cemented itself as a bona fide crowd pleaser wherever it travels.
Minister for Education and the Arts John-Paul Langbroek congratulated Artistic Director, Ebony Bott, on this exciting announcement which will form part of her first Brisbane Festival program.
“Brisbane Festival is a highlight on the state’s cultural calendar and helps deliver on the priorities of our arts strategy Queensland’s Time to Shine, by providing extraordinary arts experiences for Queenslanders, and visitors to the state,” said Minister Langbroek.
General tickets for The Choir of Man are on sale from Friday 24 April 2026. Brisbane Festival 2026 runs 4 – 26 September 2026. The full Brisbane Festival program will be announced in June. For more information, visit: www.brisbanefestival.com.au for details.
Image: The Choir of Man (supplied)