Foundation Theatres and The Star have announced plans to transform the 4000 seat Event Centre at The Star Sydney into a two-theatre complex.
NSW is a world leader for arts, culture, and entertainment. Growing public demand for theatre experiences has filled Sydney’s theatres. More theatre spaces of various configurations are needed to meet demand and ensure that Sydney continues to attract internationally renowned theatrical productions.
The Capitol Theatre and Sydney Lyric are among the most prominent commercial theatres in Sydney’s CBD suited for large scale theatrical productions, opera and ballet year-round.
Whilst the industry is well supported by subsidised theatres, as well as smaller venues, for Sydney to host the brightest local and international shows, it now requires an additional commercial 1550 seat Broadway style theatre.
As a large number of the Broadway and West End theatres are of this size, many productions are created to suit, and the demand for a venue of this configuration in Sydney is high.
Foundation Theatres’ vision is to complete the Sydney theatre landscape by providing a Broadway Theatre and a Live Room by 2023, ensuring that NSW truly is the arts and cultural leader of Australia.
The project will be funded privately and deliver to Sydney the theatre infrastructure necessary to accommodate the city’s growing needs for the next decade. The new complex will feature:
- 1550 seat Broadway-style theatre on two levels capable of hosting large scale musicals, dance, drama, concerts, ballet and opera with a full fly system and orchestra pit (New Theatre);
- 1000 seat comedy and live entertainment theatre capable of hosting comedy, live music, cabaret, plays and small-scale productions (Live Room).
The New Theatre will have a stage and facilities that are capable of hosting leading complex productions in a similar way to the existing Capitol Theatre & Sydney Lyric. This theatre will have a more intimate 1550 seat configuration with great accessibility and sightlines.
The venue will use similar technology to that employed so successfully at the Sydney Lyric to make a ‘breathable’ auditorium that can change in size to accommodate smaller audiences in an intimate setting.
The Live Room will provide a wonderful new performance space for live music, comedy, cabaret and smaller-scale plays and other theatrical productions.
The auditorium will have the flexibility to accommodate the developing trend toward immersive and interactive theatrical works. Seating up to 1000 patrons, the Live Room will be a welcome addition to Sydney’s performing arts scene.
The new complex will have first-class facilities for theatre-makers and theatre-goers and will complement the existing theatre offerings in Sydney. Foundation Theatres anticipate the new theatres will open in 2023.
For more information about Foundation Theatre, visit: www.foundationtheatres.com.au For more information about The Star Sydney, visit: www.star.com.au for details.
Image: Artist render of new Broadway Theatre – courtesy of Foundation Theatres