North Queensland

Welcome to paradise - tropical North Queensland, the gateway to the Barrier Reef. The natural beauty of this stunning region offers you a magical and unforgettable experience.

But there’s another kind of magic also at work – the magic of a live performance. The north’s performing arts scene is buzzing with excitement. Now our Test Drive the Arts program allows you to share in that excitement – on the house.

We want you to be our special guest, along with your partner or a friend. Find out how to collect your complimentary VIP double pass and join in the excitement.

Stop Press: Test Drive just got a whole lot more exciting in 2008 with the fabulous Riverway Centre becoming our newest Test Drive partner.

Remember new performances are added often to the site so make sure you check back for our latest offers. If you’ve already taken a Test Drive why not suggest it to a friend?

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FAQ | Terms and conditions

Recent Test Drive Offers

All of the tickets to the offers below have been snapped up. Thank you to all our Test Drivers who are helping to make this program a success.

Stay tuned for more exciting Test Drive performing arts offers coming to this site soon.

7 Deadly Australian Sins (Tropic Sun Theatre)

A carnivalesque cabaret extravaganza exploring just a few of the of the great sins of the modern world.

Underground (Dancenorth)

Underground showcases the gutsy choreography of Gavin Webber in an explosive new dance performance.

The Magic Flute (Cairns Civic Theatre)

Enjoy Opera Queensland's stellar cast and magnificent voices in this very accessible piece.

Love's Labour's Lost (Tropic Sun Theatre)

A joyful banquet of song, language, culture clashes, dance, music and frivolous frivolity.

Tiptoe (JUTE Theatre)

This Charters Towers mystery is a gothic adventure into Queensland history.

Remember Me (Dancenorth)

This new production merges different mediums – film, live music, theatre and dance – to create a work of great tenderness and nostalgia.

The Arrival (Riverway Arts Centre)

The Spare Parts Puppet Theatre presents an adaptation of the award winning book by acclaimed author and illustrator Shaun Tan.

3 Blokes And Their Barbies (Tropic Sun Theatre)

Join them for some laughs, a cold beer, backyard wisdom and the meaning of life. Sing along, have a beer, sit back and relax.

Tracy

Two girls. A crime. A cyclone.

Sirocco (Riverway Arts Centre)

With instruments ranging from Middle Eastern flutes to Irish drums and modern synthesizers, Sirocco create a uniquely modern Australian music that has seen them perform all over the world.

Shorter + Sweeter (Riverway Arts Centre)

The best of the world's biggest 10 minute play festival.

Futz (Tropic Sun Theatre Company)

A country play, but one most sinister.

Flamenco Fire (Cairns Civic Theatre)

A heady mix of traditional and contemporary flamenco music, dance and song.

Shorter + Sweeter (Cairns Civic Theatre)

The best of the world's biggest 10 minute play festival.

Gods of Spicy Things (JUTE Theatre)

A divine comedy by Sue Hayes.

FourPlay (Riverway Arts Centre)

String quartet performing original works and covers they arrange themselves.

Animal Farm (JUTE Theatre)

A stylised theatrical production using music, multi-media and the raw physical power of four dynamic actors on a bare stage to portray a multitude of characters in an adaptation of George Orwell's classic.

Educating Rita (Cairns Civic Theatre)

Two very different worlds collide, and then merge, to produce a charming human comedy and a wonderfully entertaining modern day Pygmalion.

Constance Drinkwater and the Final Days of Somerset (JUTE Theatre)

A play with a highly original and entertaining take on Australia's colonial history in Far North Queensland.

Eight Seasons (Cairns Civic Theatre)

Eight Seasons is the debut performance of the Paradise Chamber Orchestra, featuring the "Four Seasons" by Vivaldi and the "Four Seasons" by Piazzolla.

Constance Drinkwater and the Final Days of Somerset (Tropic Sun Theatre)

Stephen Carleton's finely etched play promises a "dark and stormy night in the theatre".

Animal Farm (Tropic Sun Theatre)

This stylised theatrical production uses music, multi-media and the raw physical power of four dynamic actors on a bare stage to portray a multitude of characters in Animal Farm.

To make things easier there is a general ‘3 year’ rule of thumb which applies to Test Drive offers.

If the offer is from a participating performing arts company (eg Queensland Ballet), and you haven’t attended a performance by that company in the last 3 years you should be eligible.

If the offer is from a participating performing arts venue (eg QUT Gardens Theatre), and you haven’t attended a performance at that venue in the last 3 years you should be eligible.

The individual performance details will outline any specific eligibility criteria that apply.

Arts etiquette

A few tips for making the most of your night out.

Ballet myths busted

There is more to ballet than tutus, pointe shoes and classical music. Get the mythbusting facts.

Are you an opera virgin?

Never been to the opera? Read our guide to making your first time an amazing experience.

Classical music comes out

Open your ears and your mind to the classics, as classical music is coming out of the closet.

60 Second Feedback

If you have already been to a Test Drive performance please take a minute to give us your feedback.

Our online survey is quick and easy and you will be helping us to improve the Test Drive program.