Foundation Theatres, which oversees the operation of the Capitol Theatre and Sydney Lyric Theatre, has unveiled plans to refurbish the underutilised rear stage of the Sydney Lyric. The initiative aims to introduce a unique intimate performance area that can accommodate up to 630 attendees.
Slated for completion by mid-2024, the revamped venue is set to open its doors in the fourth quarter of the same year. The space is designed with adaptability in mind, featuring retractable seating configurations that can support both standing and seated audiences. Up to 630 individuals can stand, while a seated arrangement can hold 360 attendees, complemented by a rear balcony that offers an additional 80 seats. In addition to its own backstage amenities, the venue will leverage the existing entrances of the Sydney Lyric via its foyers.
Graeme Kearns, the CEO of Foundation Theatres, expressed his enthusiasm, sharing:
This additional venue to Sydney’s theatre ecosystem will provide a new performance space of a size that is in critical demand in Sydney, particularly for emerging works and performers seeking to showcase performances to Sydney audiences.
We’re looking forward to programming the new venue with contemporary music, drama, cabaret and comedy that will work nicely in Pyrmont’s thriving entertainment precinct with the other theatres we have planned for the area.
Australian theatrical producer John Frost, whose current production of Wicked is calling the Sydney Lyric Theatre home for the next few months, added this:
Sydney’s theatre scene can only benefit from commercial theatre offerings of this size and capability. I’ve worked with the team at Foundation Theatres for the past 15 years, and I congratulate them on their vision for this new performance space and for their efforts to build this space and the new theatres that Sydney needs.
Similarly, Olivia Ansell, the Festival Director for the Sydney Festival, highlighted the versatility of the theatre, noting its potential to cater to a diverse range of artistic expressions:
Finding versatile theatres that can accommodate a broad range of artistic works, in a variety of presentation modes can often be a challenge in Sydney. Presenters and artists across the country will warmly welcome this intimate theatre space to Sydney
Supporting the venture, Minister for the Arts, Music, and the Night-time Economy, John Graham
The NSW Government fully supports the creation of new privately funded theatre spaces, particularly ones that satisfy demand for new programming and diversify our artistic productions in this state.
As we announced this week, we are reviving the night-time economy, and supporting live performance, and a new, intimate stage space would be most welcome at this moment.
Expect to hear more about the new theatre in the coming months.
