Director, playwright and Queenslander Daniel Evans has been announced as the new artistic director of Queensland Theatre. The appointment of Evans, who starts in the role immediately, ends eight months of uncertainty over the future of the company since the surprise resignation of former artistic director Lee Lewis in March. Brisbane-born Evans has a long association with Queensland Theatre as a playwright and director.
His productions The Almighty Sometimes (2022) and Drizzle Boy (2023) both won Matilda Awards for Best Mainstage Production and Best Director. Daniel Evans has been appointed as Queensland Theatre’s artistic director. Credit: Jade Ellis Queensland Theatre chief executive Criena Gehrke said that Evans’ appointment reflected the company’s commitment to Queensland artists and audiences.
“He is undoubtedly one of Australia’s best directors, our audiences love his productions,” Gehrke said. Evans said it was an honour to take up the post. “The size of the job is not lost on me, but also the incredible honour and privilege it is,” Evans said.
“Theatre has the power to transform lives. I know this because it has continually transformed mine.” Evans, 40, began his association with Queensland Theatre at the age of 16, winning the Young Playwright’s Award for his play Opening a Fuzzwollop’s Frame of Mind .
He would go on to make his mainstage playwriting debut at the company with Oedipus Doesn’t Live Here Anymore in 2014. More recently he direct.
