Sydney Opera House theatre upgrade to affect performances

Sydney Opera House’s $45 million upgrade will affect performances for most of 2017.

The two-year Theatre Machinery Project will increase the functionality, reliability and safety of the machinery of the 1500-seater Joan Sutherland Theatre. The machinery, including those used to move props, scenery, equipment and artists from above to the stage is 40 years old and getting worn out, and needs to incorporate the latest technology.

After time taken to organise the changes and procure specialised equipment, including new lighting, lifts and fire sprinklers, the theatre will be closed from May to December 2017 for the equipment to be installed and tested, and its crew trained.

Most affected will be performances by Opera Australia and the Australian Ballet, but rock acts as Kraftwerk, The Preatures and Royal Headache have also trod its stage.

Sydney Opera House CEO Louise Herron AM said: “The Joan Sutherland Theatre is one of the most intensively used of the Opera House’s seven venues, delivering an average of 330 performances a year, while still using the original equipment. Artists’ and audiences’ needs and expectations have changed and the equipment has aged.”

Herron said that the 2,680-seater Concert Hall would also close during a planned $150 million overhaul. The home of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Eddie Vedder, Kanye West and The Cure are among the many who played there.