Sydney Lyric Theatre's Rear Stage Is Being Turned Into a New Performance Space for Intimate Shows

Sydney's big stage revamps are set to continue, after the Theatre Royal's big makeover and Sydney Opera House's Concert Hall transformation — and this time, the Harbour City is gaining a brand-new spot for shows within a beloved venue. Sydney Lyric Theatre has always boasted a rear-stage space; however, it was solely set aside for changing sets if it was hosting multiple operas. Now, that part of the theatre is going to become its own place to get entertained.

Foundation Theatres, which owns and runs both Sydney Lyric Theatre and the Capitol Theatre, has lodged a development application for the refurbishment. The works at Sydney Lyric join the company's already-approved plans to also add to Pyrmont's cultural scene with a 1550-seat Broadway-style theatre and a 1000-seat space for live performances. And, the rear-space makeover will be completed first, targeting a late 2024 opening ready for a huge summer of 2024–25 filled with more shows.

Sydney Lyric's new addition will be focused on intimate setups, seating 360 people — including on a rear balcony with 80 seats — and catering to 630 standing folks. Patrons will enter through the same venue foyers, but the new theatre will have its own backstage facilities, including dressing rooms, and be operated as a self-contained site.

Whatever graces the space when it launches, the venue's lineup will do so behind the main stage. Sydney Lyric's design kept large-scale repertory opera firmly in mind, aka performing multiple productions a week — hence the need for a rear stage to store a second set. But, despite that aim, the venue hasn't ever been used for opera repertory productions. So, the rear stage is just used for loading main-stage shows at the moment.

"This additional venue to Sydney's theatre ecosystem will provide a new performance space of a size that is in critical demand in Sydney, particularly for emerging works and performers seeking to showcase performances to Sydney audiences," said Foundation Theatres CEO Graeme Kearns.

"We're looking forward to programming the new venue with contemporary music, drama, cabaret and comedy that will work nicely in Pyrmont's thriving entertainment precinct with the other theatres we have planned for the area."

The new theatre also earned support from arts industry figures such as producer John Frost and Sydney Festival Director Olivia Ansell.

"Sydney's theatre scene can only benefit from commercial theatre offerings of this size and capability," noted Frost, whose shows include Wicked — which is currently playing Sydney Lyric — plus Chicago, The Rocky Horror Show and Grease.

"Finding versatile theatres that can accommodate a broad range of artistic works, in a variety of presentation modes can often be a challenge in Sydney. Presenters and artists across the country will warmly welcome this intimate theatre space to Sydney," added Ansell.

Sydney Lyric Theatre's rear-stage revamp is set to open in the fourth quarter of 2024 at 55 Pirrama Road, Pyrmont — for more information, head to the Foundation Theatres website.