Iconic Theatre Royal Sydney Welcomes A Major Milestone Selling Over 1 Million Tickets In 4 Years

The iconic Theatre Royal Sydney, in the heart of Sydney’s Business District today has announced a major milestone, selling over 1 million tickets since reopening its doors in December 2021. This achievement underscores the vibrant arts and culture scene in Sydney, highlighting the vital role that Theatre Royal Sydney plays in enriching the city’s cultural landscape.

This milestone coincides with the opening of the new Australian production of CATS the Musical last month where celebrations also included the 40th Anniversary of the Andrew Lloyd Webber masterpiece’s Australian debut and its legendary opening night at Theatre Royal Sydney in July 1985.

 

 

With its strategic location in the heart of CBD Sydney, the theatre is positioned to host some of the world’s most iconic productions and has been recognised as one of most important cultural institutions since reopening and identified as crucial to productions launching within the Australian market. Both the commercial producing theatre industry and Sydney Business leaders have recognised within its short period of operation a significant landmark to Sydney and New South Wales.

Dexus Executive General Manager, Office Andy Collins :

Theatre Royal Sydney has been hugely successful in drawing people to the core of Sydney’s
CBD, enriching the city’s night-time economy and cultural landscape. The theatre’s milestone reflects the success of the broader 25 Martin Place transformation that has created a precinct where people can come together, work, socialise and enjoy world-class entertainment.

Paul Nicolaou Executive Director, Business Sydney :

Sydney is fortunate to have Theatre Royal Sydney as a vibrant theatrical jewel in the heart of our wonderful city.

As the theatre celebrates the fantastic milestone of one million customers since its reopening,
everyone involved in this success can be proud of what has been achieved.

Theatre Royal Sydney’s position right at the centre of our city’s central business district makes it a beacon attracting people wanting to make the most of the nighttime economy.

The theatre’s multiplier effect is enormous, delivering business to cafes, restaurants, hotels, point-topoint transport operators and others.

Business Sydney is confident that Theatre Royal Sydney’s well-deserved success will be a catalyst for other ventures seeking to capitalise on our city’s reputation as a global city and the entertainment and cultural capital of Australia.

One of the biggest successes in the theatre’s history has been the staging of another icon, TINA – The Tina Turner Musical which opening in May 2024.

Paul Dainty AO, Producer of TEG Dainty :

The response was overwhelming. TINA- The Tina Turner Musical opened to spectacular reviews, achieved 301 performances, sold 300,477 tickets and became a record-breaking show for the Theatre Royal Sydney by becoming the longest-running production since the iconic venue’s reopening.

The re opening of Theatre Royal Sydney was the key to the success of the Australian TINA tour with Sydney being the premiere city, followed by Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane and Melbourne. The production completed its final season in Melbourne where the tour achieved an incredible national audience of 780,000 patrons with the last week of the tour in Melbourne breaking another record as the highest grossing week ever at the Princess Theatre.

Suzanne Jones, Producer/CEO of JONES Theatrical Group :

Theatre Royal Sydney stands as a cornerstone of the city’s theatrical scene, blending rich history with world-class productions. JONES Theatrical Group’s Hadestown premiere season found its perfect home on this iconic stage, its immersive storytelling resonating beautifully in the space. Both our company and audiences alike had an unforgettable experience, making every performance truly special.

One of Australia’s oldest theatrical institutions, originating in 1832, the current Theatre Royal Sydney was built in 1976, designed by acclaimed architect Harry Seidler, offering a broad range of entertainment including dramas, comedy and musicals.

One of Australia’s oldest theatrical institutions, originating in 1832, the current Theatre Royal Sydney was built in 1976, designed by acclaimed architect Harry Seidler, offering a broad range of entertainment including dramas, comedy and musicals.

 

 

Many leading Australian and international performers have graced the Theatre Royal Sydney stage, from Jacki Weaver and John Waters in the 1980 production of They’re Playing Our Song, to Reg Livermore and Russell Crowe starring in productions of The Rocky Horror Show in 1984 and 1987 respectively.

The stage has also housed some of the biggest musicals including the Australian Premiere of CATS the Musical in 1985 from Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Mackintosh in a two-year season, and a three-year season of The Phantom of the Opera from 1993 seen by over one million people, the longest running musical ever staged at Theatre Royal Sydney.

Co-founded by Sir Howard Panter and Dame Rosemary Squire in 2017, Trafalgar Entertainment (TE) is a premium international live entertainment business focussed on new productions, venue ownership, Performing Arts education, theatre ticketing, the distribution of live-streaming innovative content and the provision of great theatres where people can come together to share in the experience of live entertainment.

 

 

TE is home to 22 Trafalgar Theatres(comprising Trafalgar Theatre and Olympia Theatre in London, Theatre Royal Sydney in Australia, and 18 UK regional venues), The Chiswick Cinema Complex, London, Trafalgar Theatre Productions, Trafalgar Releasing, Trafalgar Tickets, Stagecoach Performing Arts, Drama Kids/Helen O’Grady Drama Academy, ticketing company London Theatre Direct, Stagedoor, Jonathan Church Theatre Productions, and Family Entertainment Company Imagine Theatre.

The historic Theatre Royal Sydney re-opened in 2021 after a major two-year redevelopment and included a new auditorium with new seating and staging, designed to an international standard to house world class productions from Australia and around the world from major commercial musicals, plays, ballet & live music.

Trafalgar’s redesign of the theatre added one extra row of seats and increased the capacity to 1200. Importantly, under the new two-tiered design, no seat within the auditorium is more than 23 metres from Theatre Royal’s stage.

 

 

Since its reopening, Theatre Royal Sydney has played host to many incredible productions, including the Australian premieres of Jagged Little Pill, Tina – The Tina Turner Musical, National Theatre’s The Lehman Trilogy and Hadestown. It has also been home to a variety of other world class productions such as SIX the Musical, The Rocky Horror Show, The Mousetrap, Death of a Salesman, Frankenstein and Bluey’s Big Play.

Currently housing the 40th Anniversary Production of CATS the Musical, having returned back to the venue after its inaugural season in 1985 which ran for a record breaking two years, Theatre Royal Sydney’s upcoming productions include Here You Come Again, featuring Dolly Parton’s hits, the one woman classic Shirley Valentine starring Natalie Bassingthwaighte, original Australian musical The Lovers and recently announced, Pretty Woman: The Musical.

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Photo Credit: James D Morgen