Sydney's Got a Brand New Theatre in Kings Cross

The times are indeed a-changing in Kings Cross. Alongside the tightening noose of lockout laws, many a Cross venue has been downgraded, shuffled or closed down altogether — most recently (and controversially) Hugo's. But thankfully, one of our ol' favourite spaces has been spared total annihilation and is being repurposed in a pretty excellent way — as a brand new theatre. The Kings Cross Theatre (KXT) is opening on level two of the Kings Cross Hotel, in the bones of the space that once housed beloved live music venue FBi Social (RIP) and The Bandroom (RIP).

Just around the corner from The Old Fitz, the KXT theatre has seating for 75-90 and has some big ideas in terms of programming. Suzanne Millar, co-artistic director of the bAKEHOUSE Theatre Company (the team responsible for the reno) says the intention is for the theatre to be afford and accessible (great!) and produce ambitious works (even greater!). It’s a venture not just for the public to enjoy, but also for the artists to love and build up. We’re mentally fist bumping the crap out of it too — a new theatre in Sydney is music to our ears.

This is a really excellent way to breathe life into a space that, like so many around it, may have fallen by the wayside if not for some TLC. And the bAKEHOUSE Theatre company are certainly capable of piquing our dramatic interest. They’ve a bundle of productions under their collective belts (including Great Expectations, multicultural smorgasbord Story Lines, Phillip Pullman’s His Dark Materials and The Ishmael Club) and are rigorously dedicated to diversity in casting and working with independent and innovative storytelling. In essence? We can't wait to see what they cook up — and it brings a tear to the eye to see the old FBi Social space being used for good.

Find KXT on Level 2, Kings Cross Hotel, 244 - 248 William Street, Kings Cross. Stay tuned for 2015/2016 programming.