Sydney Lyric Theatre

The rear stage of the Sydney Lyric Theatre currently hosts a vast storage space full of surplus props and scenery, where quick costume changes are made. It was originally built to cater for large-scale musicals, theatre productions, opera, and ballet. Under utilised for 26 years, a restoration of this valuable space is long overdue.

Arts and culture help to build liveable communities and enhance individual well-being. Foundation Theatres new standalone and self-contained performance space will be a positive contribution to Sydney’s theatre scene.

Foundation Theatres has submitted plans with the City of Sydney to modify the existing rear stage of the Sydney Lyric to create a new intimate performance space. The theatre will be built with retractable seating to allow flat floor operations for up to 630 standing and a seated capacity for 360. The new space will also have a rear balcony with 80 seats, its own dressing rooms, back-of-house facilities, and clean walls for video projections. All will share the existing entrances of the Sydney Lyric though its foyers.

Graeme Kearns, CEO of Foundation Theatres said, “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.

“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.”

Increased standing capacity

630

Seated capacity

360

Rear balcony seats

80

Location

Sydney, Australia

Client

Foundation Theatres

Engineering that enhances

Without compromising the operation of the theatre, the refurbishment and repurposing of underutilised areas such as corridors, storerooms, dressing rooms and other support rooms will support the operation of this new theatre space. The modifications will be completed by mid-2024 and expected to open at the end of 2024.

WSP is involved in the wet and dry fire design and construction phases of this project. Works included modification to the existing sprinkler system, fire detection and emergency warning and intercommunication systems (EWIS) to suit the new refurbishment and meet its fire engineering requirements. Careful consideration was paramount to ensure the theatre could operate as intended, with a fit for purpose detection system. Further detailing of the fire systems and ancillary devices were critical to ensure seamless integration with the performance space.

Sydney Lyric is part of The Star complex where WSP’s fire protection specialist Sally Felice has worked on numerous projects over the years, including the original build. Sally’s extensive knowledge and appreciation of site wide existing systems, including the infrastructure servicing the Sydney Lyric theatre space and insights on latent conditions has helped with these new refurbishment projects as they arise.

Olivia Ansell, Festival Director for the Sydney Festival said, “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”. In a net-zero world, retrofitting becomes the default choice for all developments. What can conservation specialists teach us about making older buildings work like new?

Read more on this topic: Retrofitting: What can we learn from heritage projects?

Reviving Sydney's night-time economy

Efforts to support a vibrant after-hours culture has been an important focus for Sydney, Australia’s largest night-time economy.

Arts, Music, and Night-Time economy minister, John Graham said, “The NSW Government fully supports the creation of new privately funded theatre spaces, particularly ones that satisfy demand for new programming and diversify our artistic productions in this state.”

With the NSW government announcing to revive Sydney's night-time economy and support live performances, a new intimate stage space would be most welcome at this moment.

Sydney has a thriving night-time economy representing as much as $16 billion in additional economic uplift. WSP and Urbis have partnered to support New South Wales (NSW) 24-hour Economy Commissioner in strengthening Sydney’s growth for industries that operate outside standard business hours, and the communities they serve.

Unlocking Sydney’s true potential as a 24-hour city and supporting vibrant night-time spaces in regional cities is a priority. The use and application of reliable and consistent data will help to redefine what a good going out economy looks like for NSW, and build livelier, safer, and better-connected after-hours communities.

Read insights by WSP on how the use of data can help revitalise Sydney’s night-time economy: Data after dark - using technology to revitalise Sydney's night-time economy.

Explore how WSP has helped transform the Sydney Modern - another iconic cultural landmark where innovative adaptive re-use was embedded into sustainable designs.