In announcing its 2026 program, the KXT on Broadway has put itself on the Sydney theatrical map, once again. The little theatre that could has been doing this since its inception in 2015 at the historic Kings Cross Hotel.
When the hotel underwent major renovations in 2022, the operators at baKEHOUSE decided to move across the city to an old bank building, where against the odds, it has thrived and has cemented its reputation as an important incubator of local talent.
“We have a passion for new Australian playwrights, and in terms of new voices, we are also making sure that those voices are representing the community we live in,” John Harrison, co-artistic director, baKEHOUSE said. “In particular, diverse voices, those of colour, and also queer and gender diverse artists.”
Harrison, shares the role of artistic director at baKEHOUSE with Suzanne Miller and Andrew McMartin, and each year they oversee the selection of between 15 and 20 shows. This year sees 18 new productions selected for the KXT 2026 schedule.
“We obviously get a lot of submissions, usually between 150 and 200, and that shows how big the sector is for the artists,” Harrison said.
baKEHOUSE vet the applications on topicality, viability and the strength of the team making the pitch, among other considerations.
“It may be their first play, and it might not be the best expression of their future potential, but they need a stepping stone to launch things and get the experience of having their work on stage and learn the lessons in an environment that is supportive,” Harrison said.
This year’s schedule include Gia Ophelia, a tale of thwarted stage and personal ambitions by writer Grace Wilson, under the helm of up and coming director Jo Bradley.
Kim Hardwick is a rising director making waves in Sydney theatre, having used her many past directing roles at KXT and other independent theatres and is on the cusp for graduating to major stages, but not before she heads up Monster by writer Duncan MacMillan for KXT in 2026.
Another important incubation from KXT and baKEHOUSE is their partnership with NIDA which offers another pathway for new writers.
This year the NIDA First Steps platform will see three new plays, Cadaver Synod by Ruby Blinkhorn, Everyone Knows I’m a Pervert by Taylor Fernandez and First, Do No Harm from Grace Malouf – presented on stage for the first time.
“This can be tricky when dealing with new Australian writing,” Harrison said. “Even on a main stage it is hard to generate an audience. Hopefully, through the process of presenting the work at KXT, they can expand on that skillset and go onto future productions.”
KXT are rightfully proud of their support for new Australian talent, whether that be in the writing phase, directing and producing and giving a stage to new actors.
“Certainly a lot of producers who have come through KXT have gone onto work on main stages like Griffin, Belvoir and the STC, so this is another facet of the support that we provide here,” Harrison said.
For more information about KXT on Broadway and their 2026 season, visit: www.kingsxtheatre.com for details.
Image: courtesy of Cottonbro Studios on Pexels
Words: John Moyle