While this isn’t as big an issue with those living in Sydney and who have a bit more flexibility with their schedules to book theatre tickets, those like me living interstate may be required to book weeks if not months in advance to travel up/down to see a show in the city. While there are many other theatres which I hope to cover in future line-up posts, below is the currently confirmed productions and performance windows for both the Capitol Theatre and Lyric Theatre in Sydney.
[All descriptions have been sourced from official event websites. Do note that some earlier performances of upcoming shows may be preview sessions]
Capitol Theatre
Les Misérables
Now – 13 September 2015 | More shows to potentially be released
Set against the backdrop of 19th-century revolutionary France, LES MISÉRABLES is a much loved blockbuster musical which has been seen by over 65 million people worldwide in 42 countries and in 22 languages, LES MISÉRABLES is undisputedly one of the most popular musicals of all time. Having won more than 100 major awards around the world it has been hailed as the most stirring, moving musical ever. Based on Victor Hugo’s classic novel, it is an epic and uplifting story about the survival of the human spirit. The magnificent score of LES MISÉRABLES includes the classic songs “I Dreamed a Dream”, “On My Own”, “Stars”, “Bring Him Home”, “Do You Hear the People Sing?”, “One Day More”, “Empty Chairs at Empty Tables”, “Master of the House” and many more.
Beyond Misérables
23rd August 2015 at 8PM | One Show Only
The Australian cast of Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed new production of Les Misérables will perform a charity concert raising money in support of beyondblue on Sunday August 23rd at 8.00 pm at the Capitol Theatre, Sydney. Tickets go on sale on Thursday 25th June via Ticketmaster.
Beyond Misérables was conceived by and is being produced entirely by the cast members of Les Misérables who want to bring more attention and funds to the issue of depression, anxiety and suicide in today’s society, and in particular within the entertainment industry.
The unique one-off event will be hosted by the charismatic Trevor Ashley. The show will be directed by Luke Joslin with Geoff Castles as Musical Director and feature the entire cast of Les Misérables.
Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games
20th October – 25th October | Strictly Limited Season
Michael Flatley brought Irish Dance into the global spotlight more than 21 years ago, going on to create Lord of the Dance in 1996. Since then his spectacular artistry and grand scale productions have mesmerized more than 60 million people in 68 countries around the world.
This year the acclaimed dance phenomenon is bigger than ever with Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games returning to London’s West end following a sell-out season in 2014, and embarking on a UK and international tour.
Flatley’s new show Dangerous Games has exciting and ground-breaking technology, including holographs, dancing robots, world champion acrobats and 34 of the greatest Irish Dancers in the world. New choreography, stunning new costumes and special effect lighting add a breath-taking new dimension to the original masterpiece.
Lord of the Dance captivates audiences with its mesmerizing dance styles rooted in traditional Irish dance, and its passionate love story interwoven with classic Irish folklore.
Michael Flatley will not be performing in the 2015 tour.
Cats
30th October 2015 – 22nd November 2015 | Strictly Limited Season
Based on T. S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, the show is alive with highly entertaining feline characters and wonderful witty verse, as the Jellicle Cats come out to play in a larger-than-life junkyard on the night of the Jellicle Ball. One by one they tell their stories for the amusement of Old Deuteronomy, their wise and benevolent leader, who must choose one of the Cats to ascend to The Heaviside Layer and be reborn into a new life.
The Sound of Music
12th December 2015 – 10th January 2015 | More shows to potentially be released
Inspired by the lives of the actual von Trapp family, The Sound of Music tells the uplifting story of Maria, a fun-loving governess who changes the lives of the widowed Captain von Trapp and his seven children by re-introducing them to music, culminating in the family’s escape from the Nazis across the mountains from Austria. It features an unforgettable score that includes some of the most famous songs ever performed on stage, including My Favourite Things, Edelweiss, Do-Re-Mi, Sixteen Going On Seventeen, The Lonely Goatheard, Climb Ev’ry Mountain and the title song, The Sound of Music.
Jekyll & Hyde
Starting 6th March 2015
Jekyll & Hyde is the gripping tale of a brilliant mind gone horrifically awry. In an attempt to cure his ailing father’s mental illness by separating ‘good’ from ‘evil’ in the human personality, talented physician Dr Jekyll inadvertently creates an alternate personality of pure evil dubbed Mr Hyde who wreaks murderous havoc on the city of London. Struggling to control Hyde before he takes over for good, Jekyll must race to find a cure for the demon he has created in his own mind.
Lyric Theatre
Matilda the Musical
28th July 2015 – 8th November 2015 | More Tickets to Potentially be Released
Matilda The Musical is based on the beloved novel by best-selling author Roald Dahl (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Fantastic Mr. Fox). It is the story of an extraordinary girl who dreams of a better life. Armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, Matilda dares to take a stand and change her destiny. Featuring music and lyrics by Australian comedian, musician and composer Tim Minchin, Matilda The Musical has proven an enormous success in London’s West End and on Broadway, where productions continue to play to packed houses and capture the imagination of young and old alike.
Shen Yun 2016
8th March 2016 – 13th March 2016
Imagine a performance so profound and inspiring, that it touches your soul. Shen Yun takes you on a journey through ancient dynasties, where legends and classic heroes spring to life through classical Chinese dance. Shen Yun’s aerial masterful dancers, vocalists and special effects of the animated backdrops transport you to another world.
New York-based Shen Yun has become a global sensation. Reviving China’s 5,000 years of divinely inspired culture which was once almost lost. Standing ovations at the world’s top venues, sold-out shows throughout North America and packed houses across Asia have made Shen Yun an international phenomenon. Shen Yun returns to Sydney Lyric in March 2016 with All-new program.
