Theatre Royal Sydney unveils new staging

One of Australia’s most historic performance venues, Theatre Royal Sydney, has completed a major overhaul of its stage, replacing the traditional wooden setup with a cutting-edge modular system.

Two years in the making, the new upgrade promises to revolutionise the way productions are staged, offering unmatched flexibility for set designs, trap doors, and other customisable features.

“Our new stage is a game-changer,” said Houri Tapiki, General Manager of Theatre Royal Sydney. “We can now accommodate productions that require significant alterations, and once the show is over, the stage returns to its original form, as if nothing ever happened.”

In keeping with a focus on sustainability, the theatre has also repurposed the wood from its old stage, donating it to various organisations. This upgrade is part of a broader effort by the theatre to stay at the forefront of live entertainment while honouring its long history.

Originally opened in 1832, Theatre Royal Sydney has hosted a remarkable range of talent over the years. From Jacki Weaver and John Waters starring in ‘They’re Playing Our Song’ in 1980 to Reg Livermore and Russell Crowe leading ‘The Rocky Horror Show’ in the 1980s, the venue has seen a wealth of local and international stars. The stage has also been home to some of the biggest musicals ever staged in Australia, including a two-year run of ‘CATS’ and a three-year residency of ‘The Phantom of the Opera’, the longest-running musical in the theatre’s history.

Since reopening in 2021 after a two-year redevelopment, Theatre Royal Sydney has continued its tradition of hosting major productions, including the Australian premieres of ‘Jagged Little Pill’, ‘Girl From The North Country’, and ‘The Lehman Trilogy’. The venue recently celebrated a successful nine-month run of ‘TINA – The Tina Turner Musical’, which attracted over 300,000 audience members.

Looking ahead, Theatre Royal Sydney will host a lineup of exciting productions, including Mary Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein’, ‘SIX the Musical’, Bluey’s ‘Big Play’, the Australian premiere of ‘Hadestown’, and Agatha Christie’s ‘And Then There Were None’. With more shows to be announced for 2025, the iconic venue continues to cement its place at the heart of Sydney’s theatre scene.

The upgrade to the modular stage system signifies a new chapter for the Theatre Royal, blending tradition with innovation and promising a future filled with creative possibilities.

For more information about Theatre Royal Sydney or to see an upcoming production, visit their official website.