Upgrade Sydney theatres

The debate over whether Sydney needs a new theatre has of course been part of a larger discussion relating to the fact that Victoria has secured far more major theatrical premieres of late than Sydney, which is without doubt struggling when it comes to major events.

The debate over whether Sydney needs a new theatre has of course been part of a larger discussion relating to the fact that Victoria has secured far more major theatrical premieres of late than Sydney, which is without doubt struggling when it comes to major events.

The NSW Premier, Kristina Keneally, has – according to media reports today – launched a massive financial bid to secure the National Rugby League Grand Final in Sydney, a response to an attempt from the Queensland Government to secure the game’s showpiece event. There’s also been talk of securing the Formula One racing, so the NSW Government is perhaps now getting the message.

No talk of a new theatre just yet, but do we actually need one?

The other day I was speaking with the legendary Australian entertainer Mike Walsh, who of course owns the Cremorne Orpheum in Sydney and the Her Majesty’s Theatre in Melbourne.

Mike has a much simpler approach to the problem Sydney is facing. He says there’s no need to build a new theatre in Sydney – instead, he says there’s two theatres in particular that should be upgraded via State Government funding.

He speaks of the iconic State Theatre and the relatively new Sydney Theatre, both of which could easily accommodate major musicals but tend not to due to various restrictions.

Both theatres are perfectly placed – the State is right in the Sydney CBD, whilst the Sydney Theatre is at Walsh Bay, just a few minutes from The Rocks – an iconic tourist destination.

As Mike pointed out to me, the limitations of the State and the Sydney are a reflection of one another.

The State needs a bigger stage and the Sydney a decent auditorium. The latter is very poorly served with a recently designed auditorium that is woefully small and also has bad sightlines. Bad sightlines in a theatre built in the last 15 years – how did that happen?

So, in an election year, will either party commit to upgrading either of the two theatres? Does the management of these theatres want it?

Perhaps upgrades, as opposed to an entirely new theatre, holds the answer to the current situation.