Australian Theatre Venues
The Sydney Theatre Company was formed after a grant from the New South Wales State Government was given in 1979. Productions began the following year and today it is one of Australia’s most notable theatres.
The Sydney Theatre Company operates The Wharf Theatre, the Sydney Theatre and the Sydney Opera House.
The Sydney Opera House is a World Heritage Site. One of the most distinctive designs in the world, the Sydney Opera House is home to Opera Australia, the Sydney Theatre Company and the Sydney Symphony.
Designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, the Sydney Opera House is located on Bennelong Point in Sydney Harbour. Queen Elizabeth II formally opened the Sydney Opera House, on October 20, 1973.
The Melbourne Theatre Company is Australia’s oldest professional theatre and was founded in 1953 by John Sumner. Today it is known simply as the MTC and can be found located in Southbank, Victoria. Whilst the complex is still under construction at the time of writing, it is expected to be completed and open for business by 2008.
The MTC has had to play in a variety of venues while construction is underway. These venues include the Russell Street theatre, the Athenaeum Theatre, St Martins Theatre and the Victorian Arts Centre.
The Capitol Theatre in Sydney is one of Australia’s oldest theatre complexes opening in 1913 as Wirth’s Circus and Hippodrome. The Capitol Theatre was one of two theatres, the other being the Tivoli Theatre, that were built in the Belmore Markets. The Capitol would officially open in 1928 with a 2,999-seat auditorium. The Capitol reopened in 1995 following restoration and extensions that included new galleries at a cost of $35 million.
The Lyric Theatre is one of four theatres at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. It is a horseshoe shaped theatre that has seating for 2000 patrons. The Lyric Theatre is the leading Brisbane venue for operas, ballets and musicals with the auditorium boasting two levels of balconies.
The Tivoli Theatre in Sydney was one of Australia’s first theatres before closing its doors for the final time in 1928 before being turned into a cinema and ultimately demolished.
The Tivoli was located in Castlereagh Street where the Sky Garden shopping complex stands today. The original building was demolished in 1890 and was renamed The Garrick Theatre before owner Harry Rickards renamed it, ‘The Tivoli’ in 1893.
In 1899 The Tivoli burnt down but the show continued the following night. Eventually the Tivoli would reopen with a 1200 seat auditorium in 1900.