Queensland Ballet and HOTA, Home of the Arts Announce the World Premiere Elegantly Wasted Featuring the songs of INXS.
Queensland Ballet
Queensland Ballet and HOTA, Home of the Arts
Announce the World Premiere
Featuring the songs of
HOTA, Gold Coast, QLD; 25 June, 2026; Today, Queensland Ballet in partnership with HOTA, Home of the Arts, Gold Coast, announced the world premiere of Elegantly Wasted, a bold new contemporary ballet set to the songs of INXS, opening at HOTA from 10 - 12 September, 2026.
The new 65-minute commission, Elegantly Wasted, brings together an acclaimed team of Australian and international creatives including celebrated Belgium-Colombian choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, sound designer Jake Rodriguez, costume designer Josh McIntosh and set and lighting designer Jon Buswell.
Choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, who created Queensland Ballet’s 2024 sell-out hit, Coco Chanel: the Life of a Fashion Icon, said the opportunity to reinterpret the songs of INXS through ballet was irresistible.
“INXS is one of Australia’s most successful musical exports and arguably one of the country’s most influential cultural forces, so I was naturally drawn to the idea of collaboration between what many might consider the most unlikely of partners.”
“Elegantly Wasted is set within the polished anonymity of a luxury hotel lobby and follows a group of impeccably dressed young influencers (drifting in and out of view), curating their lives through performance, projection and validation. Beneath the glamour, seduction and excess lies a deeper meditation on identity, loneliness and the human desire to connect,” Lopez Ochoa explained.
Andrew Farriss, INXS founding member & composer said the collaboration reflects the band’s openness to reinterpretation and creative evolution, while remaining distinct from its own story.
“INXS have always embraced exploring new ideas and the different ways our music can connect with people. This ballet is a fresh artistic interpretation that stands in its own space. It’s not about the band’s story but shows how our music can inspire new forms of expression. It’s exciting to see the work approached from a completely new perspective. Annabelle has brought her own artistic vision to the music, and we’re looking forward to seeing how it comes to life,” Farriss said.
INXS were recently awarded the Ted Albert Award at the 2026 APRA Awards for their outstanding service to Australian music. The award adds to their decades long achievements across the globe including 75 million albums sold worldwide, seven US Top 10 singles, six APRA Music Awards, ARIAs, two Brit Awards, MTV Awards and numerous Grammy nominations.
Elegantly Wasted marks Queensland Ballet’s second major contemporary music-led commission to premier at HOTA. The first, Elastic Hearts, paired the music of Sia with choreography by Garry Stewart and premiered in November 2025 to rave reviews and strong audience demand.
Minister for the Arts, the Hon John-Paul Langbroek, whose electorate is Surfers Paradise, said this partnership between Queensland Ballet, HOTA and Experience Gold Coast showcases the Gold Coast as one of Australia’s most dynamic cultural destinations.
“This partnership between Queensland Ballet, HOTA and Experience Gold Coast is creating new opportunities for Queensland artists and strengthening our state's cultural offering. It is fitting that a bold new Australian work
1/3
of this scale will make its world premiere at HOTA on the Gold Coast, showcasing Queensland's creative ambition and talent to audiences,” Minister Langbroek said
Queensland Ballet Executive Director, Dilshani Weerasinghe, said the three-year partnership between Queensland Ballet and HOTA supported by Experience Gold Coast provides a unique environment for experimentation and contemporary storytelling.
“Through the partnership, HOTA has become a proud launchpad for major new commissions, enabling us to create daring, large-scale works that connect with audiences beyond traditional ballet circles and engage a new generation of arts-goers. Those audiences are vital because today’s first-time attendees become tomorrow’s advocates, philanthropists and cultural ambassadors,” Weerasinghe said.
Experience Gold Coast Head of Arts and Culture, John Kotzas AM said the partnership represents a significant commitment to bringing world-class ballet to the Gold Coast.
“We are proud to continue building a consistent pipeline of high calibre artistic experiences for our audiences. It’s an exciting opportunity to showcase the very best of Australian performing arts while strengthening the Gold Coast’s reputation as a thriving cultural destination.”
Alongside the production, Queensland Ballet will deepen its engagement with the Gold Coast community through School Workshops and a Teacher Professional Development session, linking professional artistic practice with the Queensland Arts curriculum through engaging and practical learning opportunities.
# ENDS #
Editors Note:
- Images, biographies, sound clips here
- Claire Vince, Communications Manager, [email protected] / 0468 726 910
- Danielle Ford, Media and PR Specialist, [email protected] / 0487 002 022
Creative credits:
Music – INXS, Concept and choreography – Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Sound Designer - Jake Rodriguez, Additional Music Production - Nigel Butler, Costume Design – Josh McIntosh, Set and Lighting Design – Jon Buswell
Performance dates:
Thursday 10 September, 7:00pm, Friday 11 September, 7:30pm, Saturday 12 September, 1:30pm, 7:30pm
Duration: 65 minutes (no interval
Queensland Ballet's mission is to contribute to Australia's cultural landscape by being an integral part of the national and international ballet ecology - striving for artistic excellence, pathways for emerging artists, and impact through our community outreach, education, and Dance Health programs. We aim to enrich lives and contribute to wellness across society through the magic of ballet.
2/3
HOTA, Home of the Arts, is the Gold Coast’s premier arts and cultural precinct, bringing together visual arts, theatre, live music, cinema, festivals and creative experiences in one vibrant destination.
Set alongside the city’s stunning natural landscape, HOTA is a place where artists, audiences and communities connect through ambitious, inspiring and accessible arts experiences. Home to HOTA Gallery, Australia’s largest public gallery outside a capital city, as well as world-class performance venues, outdoor stages, cinemas and creative spaces, HOTA presents a diverse program of local, national and international works year-round.
Committed to growing the cultural identity of the Gold Coast, HOTA champions creativity, supports artists and delivers experiences that enrich the lives of audiences from across the region and beyond.
A band of brothers and high school friends that started out in Sydney’s Northern Beaches in 1977 they played countless shows throughout Australia before taking on the world with their manager, Chris Murphy and
conquering the global stage, Michael Hutchence, Andrew Farriss, Tim Farriss, Jon Farriss, Kirk Pengilly and Garry Gary Beers won the hearts of millions of fans.
With countless hits such as “Original Sin,” “What You Need,” “Mystify,” “Suicide Blonde,” “By My Side,” “Don’t Change,” “Need You Tonight,” “Listen Like Thieves,” “Disappear,” “New Sensation” & “Never Tear Us Apart” , INXS dominated the airwaves, record stores, and stadiums around the world. Their sound was initially classified as “new wave” by some critics, but ultimately, their blend of rock, rhythm and blues, and funk was an entirely original sound, captivating millions worldwide.
INXS performed over 2000 shows, and their iconic live performance at Wembley Stadium in front of a sold-out crowd of 74,000 fans counts as one of Wembley’s most memorable concerts ever. Filmed in 35mm and restored in 4K with an Atmos mix by Giles Martin, the executive music producer of INXS, the concert is a timeless reminder of one of the world’s greatest live bands.
The INXS legacy continues to expand, proving that true artistry is never confined to a single era – it thrives across generations. INXS’s music was always ahead of its time, and its influence remains undeniable today.
Contact details:
- Claire Vince, Communications Manager, [email protected] / 0468 726 910
- Danielle Ford, Media and PR Specialist, [email protected] / 0487 002 022
- Images, biographies, sound clips here