Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Theatre and Film
Sydney's theatrical venues are well known for their
atmosphere and quality. There is a stimulating range of
productions, ranging from musicals, classic plays and
Shakespeare by the Sea to contemporary, fringe and
experimental theatre. Comedy is also finding a strong
niche as a mainstream performance art. Prominent
playwrights include David Williamson, Debra Oswald,
Brendan Cowell, Stephen Sewell and Louis Nowra.
Australian film-making has also earned an excellent
international reputation. A rich variety of both local and
foreign films are screened throughout the year, as well
as during eagerly anticipated annual film festivals.
The Sydney Opera House
regularly has performances
for children.
In the suburb of Killara,
the
Marian St Theatre for
Young People
stages the
occasional theatrical
production. With luck, you
may even be able to see a
performance by the incredibly
athletic
Flying Fruit Fly Circus
.
This troupe, aged from eight
to eighteen, excels in aerial
gymnastics.
THEATRE
FILM
(STC) has just introduced an
ensemble of actors, employed
full time, who will perform a
minimum of two plays each
season. Most STC productions
are at
The Wharf
or the new
Sydney Theatre
at Walsh Bay,
though some are staged in
the Drama Theatre of the
Sydney Opera House
(see
pp74-7)
.
The
Bell Shakespeare
Company
interprets the Bard
with an innovative slant
without tampering with the
original text. Its productions
are ideal for young or wary
theatre-goers. While venues
vary, there are two seasons in
Sydney - one at the beginning
of summer and one in autumn.
Street performances and
open-air theatre are popular
during the summer months
when life in Sydney moves
outdoors.
Shakespeare by the
Sea
, at lovely Balmoral Beach
(see p55)
, has no need for
painted backdrops.
For the adventurous, the
Sydney Festival
(see p49)
offers a celebration of
original, often quirky,
Australian theatre, dance,
music and visual arts. Once
considered somewhat
frivolous, it has now devel-
oped the reputation of having
serious artistic depth, while
maintaining its unique flavour
of Sydney in the summer.
Sydney's larger, mainstream
musicals, such as those of
Andrew Lloyd Webber, are
staged at the
Theatre Royal
,
the opulent
State Theatre
(see p82)
and the
Capitol
Theatre
(see p99)
. The
Star
City
entertainment and casino
complex boasts two theatres,
the Showroom, and the first-
rate Lyric Theatre for musical
productions and stage shows.
Smaller venues also offer a
range of interesting plays and
performances. These include
the
Seymour Theatre Centre
,
which has three theatres; the
Belvoir Street Theatre
, which
has two; the
Ensemble Theatre
,
a theatre-in-the-round by the
water; and the
Footbridge
Theatre
. The
Griffin Theatre
specialises in works by new
Australian playwrights, while
the new
Parade Theatre
at the
National Institute of Dramatic
Arts (NIDA) showcases work
by NIDA's acting, directing
and production students
throughout the year. It also
hosts shows by other theatre
groups. The well-respected
Sydney Theatre Company
The city's main commercial
cinema,
Greater Union
Complex
, is in George Street,
just one block south of Town
Hall, and screens the most
recent film releases. Similar
multiplexes, such as
Hoyts
at Broadway
,
can be found
in the Entertainment Quarter
on Driver Avenue, and in
Bondi Junction in the
Westfield Shopping Centre.
The
IMAX Theatre
(see p92)
in Darling Harbour has a
giant, 8-storey screen and
shows 2D and 3D films made
specifically for the large
screen. Many of these are
suitable for children.
Cinephiles flock to
Palace
Academy Twin
and
Palace
Verona
on Oxford Street, and
to the
Dendy Cinemas
at
Newtown and Opera Quays.
Cinema Paris
shows arthouse
and indie films, and often
screens Bollywood movies as
well. The
Reading Cinema
regularly shows the latest
Chinese films. Foreign films
are usually screened in the
original language with
English subtitles.
For a movie and a meal,
Govinda's
(see p189)
, which
is also an Indian restaurant,
screens films that have just
finished their run at the
cinemas. The admission price
includes a tasty vegetarian
buffet dinner.
The latest screenings are
usually at 9:30pm, although
most major cinema complexes
run shows up to as late as
midnight. Commercial cinema
houses offer half-price tickets
on Tuesday, while Palace and
Dendy do so on Monday.
FILM CENSORSHIP
RATINGS
G
For general exhibition
PG
Parental guidance
recommended for those
under 15 years
M
15+ Recommended for
mature audiences aged 15
and over
MA
15+ Restricted to
people 15 years and over
R
18+ Restricted to adults
18 years and over
CHILDREN'S THEATRE
Sydney thrives on spectacles
that delight children, and their
parents. You will often find
jugglers, mime artists, buskers
and magic shows at Circular
Quay and around Darling
Harbour
(see p91)
.
