Theatre entertainment in Pacific
-
A
Melbourne Theatre Company
Melbourne’s most high-profile professional theatre company, the Melbourne Theatre Company, is also Australia’s oldest. It stages up to a dozen performances year-round at the Victorian Arts Centre. Productions are often firmly focused on satisfying the company’s middle-market subscriber base. It features works by well-known Australian playwrights such as David Williamson and locals Hannie Rayson and Joanna Murray-Smith, as well as international works. The MTC also runs a readings program to promote and develop the works of emerging playwrights.
reviewed
-
B
State Theatre
The utterly ornate State (1929) is Sydney’s most ostentatious theatre. Originally built as a movie palace during Hollywood’s heyday, it’s now a National Trust–classified building, dripping with gilt and velveteen. Live shows (musicals, comedy, middle-of-the-road bands) take the stage, except during the Sydney Film Festival in June. If you’re lucky, you might catch one of the monthly guided tours.
reviewed
-
C
Sydney Theatre Company
Established in 1978, the STC is Sydney theatre’s top dog and has been an important stepping stone in the careers of many famous Australian actors (including Mel Gibson, Judy Davis, Hugo Weaving, Miranda Otto). Expect meticulously crafted mainstream works that still manage to push a few buttons. Shows at the Wharf Theatre and Sydney Theatre.
reviewed
-
D
SBW Stables Theatre
Home to the Griffin Theatre Company, this quirky, intimate theatre (it seats just 120) is the home for new writing. It's also where many actors started out – Cate Blanchett and David Wenham both trod the boards here early in their careers. Rush tickets ($15) are available on Monday evenings.
reviewed
-
E
Silo Theatre
With an annual programme that presents current plays, past plays, locally devised theatre and overseas theatre, it's not easy to pin down the Silo. Past plays have included Toa Fraser's No 2, plus those from playwrights of the ilk of Neil La Bute (US), Dylan Thomas (Wales) and Louis Nowra (Australia).
reviewed
-
F
Old Fitzroy Theatre
Is it a pub? A theatre? A bistro? Actually, it’s all three. Grab a bowl of laksa, check out tomorrow’s acting talent and wash it all down with a cold beer ($35 for the lot). The grassroots company here, the Tamarama Rock Surfers, has premiered dozens of new Australian plays.
reviewed
-
G
Fortune Theatre
The world’s southernmost professional theatre company has been running dramas, comedies, pantomimes, classics and contemporary NZ productions for almost 40 years. Shows are performed – watched over by the obligatory theatre ghost – in a Gothic-styled old Wesleyan church.
reviewed
-
H
Darlinghurst Theatre
The Darlinghurst Theatre Company brings pithy, intelligent Australian scripts to life in this intimate (and allegedly haunted) Potts Point theatre, which features seats, mirrors, lighting and the bar from the old Her Majesty’s Theatre in Haymarket.
reviewed
-
I
Griffin Theatre Company
The Stables Theatre is the home of this important little company, dedicated to the development and production of new Australian plays since 1970. Cate Blanchett started her professional career here. On Mondays there are 'pay what you can' 18:30 sessions.
reviewed
-
J
Wharf Theatre
Sydney Theatre Company’s very own theatre is also home to the Bangarra Dance Theatre and the Sydney Dance Company. The Wharf restaurant next door plates up excellent pre- and post-show edibles.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
K
Chamber Made Theatre
Founded in 1988, Chamber Made productions showcase contemporary music and music-based performance art. Performances aren’t usually more frequent than quarterly, though they supplement productions with work in progress presentations.
reviewed
-
L
Theatreworks
Theatreworks is a community theatre dedicated to supporting a range of arts practitioners, housed in a parish hall that looks like it’s straight out of The Vicar of Dibley. The company has been around for 25-odd years.
reviewed
-
M
Ensemble Theatre
On the North Shore, the long-running, mature Ensemble Theatre presents mainstream theatre by overseas and Australian playwrights (think David Williamson), generally with well-known Australian actors, such as Sascha Horler.
reviewed
-
N
Belvoir St Theatre
In a quiet corner of Surry Hills, this intimate venue hosts the often-experimental and consistently excellent Company B. Artistic director Neil Armfield’s shows sometimes feature big stars, such as Geoffrey Rush.
reviewed
-
O
Red Stitch
This is an independent company of actors staging new international works that are often premieres in Australia. The tiny black-box theatre, opposite the Astor - down the end of the driveway - is a cosy, intimate space.
reviewed
-
P
Sydney Theatre
It seems odd that no one thought of this name before... Opening a few years ago, the resplendent Sydney Theatre holds 850 bods for specialist drama and dance. Managed by the Sydney Theatre Company.
reviewed
-
Q
Red Stitch Actors Theatre
This independent company of actors stages new international works that are often premieres in Australia. The tiny black-box theatre, opposite the Astor and down the end of the driveway, is a cosy, intimate space.
reviewed
-
R
Seymour Theatre Centre
Behind a glass curtain wall on an insanely busy intersection, this Sydney University–affiliated theatre (actually, four theatres) shows an eclectic selection of plays, cabaret, comedy and musicals.
reviewed
-
S
Capital Theatre
In the beautifully restored Capital Theatre, this is the main venue for the performing arts, with hundreds of performances and exhibitions each year.
reviewed
-
T
Civic Theatre
The Civic has a booking office, not only for its own productions but for much of the locally created entertainment, from youth theatre to performances by the Riverina Conservatorium.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
U
New Theatre
Australia’s oldest continuously performing theatre (since 1932!), Newtown’s eclectic New Theatre produces toothy new dramas as well as more traditional pieces.
reviewed
-
V
La Boite Theatre Company
This intimate venue was purpose-built for theatre-in-the-round. The company produces plays by Australian and international playwrights; ask about discounts for under-30s.
reviewed
-
W
Her Majesty’s
On the outside Her Maj is red-brick Second Empire; on the inside it’s 1930s Moderne. It’s been the home of musical comedy since 1880 and is still going strong.
reviewed
-
X
Capitol Theatre
Lavishly restored, this large city theatre is home to big-name concerts (Chris Isaak, Diana Ross) and long-running musicals (Billy Elliot, Guys & Dolls).
reviewed
-
Y
Capital
In the beautifully restored Capital Theatre, this is the main venue for the performing arts, with hundreds of performances and exhibitions each year.
reviewed
