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While things are a little up in the air at the moment with the recent re-introduction of tighter health measures, it's good to see that most of the major shows currently playing in Sydney are still going ahead, with a firm focus on safety procedures to keep audiences as secure as possible. Anyone feeling unwell is compelled to stay at home for the good of everyone, and ticket holders from the locked-down zone of the Northern Beaches are also asked not to attend, even if they are symptom-free.
The Picture of Dorian Gray at Roslyn Packer Theatre
STC’s five-star hit The Picture of Dorian Gray will see out its run ending on January 9, with star Eryn Jean Norvill playing to 75 per cent capacity audiences, with QR code check-ins and mandatory masks.
Magic Mike Live at the Entertainment Quarter
After a short hiatus, the buff boys (and girls) of producer Channing Tatum's raunchy extravaganza, Magic Mike Live, are back at their thrusting game with an extended run (spaced seating in place) through to April 4.
Frozen at the Capitol Theatre
Disney blockbuster Frozen already required audiences to mask up as part of the Capitol Theatre’s safety plan. While the magical adventures of Elsa and Anna had an exemption to play to 85 per cent capacity, that has been reined in to 75 per cent, in line with current NSW health regulations.
Rent and The Merry Widow at the Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House run of much-loved rock ‘n’ roll musical Rent is powering on, with digital check-ins, masks required and physical distancing in play. You can also see Opera Australia's first show in nine months, the light-hearted The Merry Widow.
Pippin at the Sydney Lyric Theatre
Big top energy musical Pippin, from the writer who brought us Wicked and featuring Aladdin star Ashley Melham, was the first large-scale show to return to Sydney since the citywide shutdown. It continues to enthral at the Lyric Theatre through to the end of this month, with masks mandatory and three-quarters capacity in place.
My Brilliant Career and Fangirls at Belvoir Theatre
You can still catch Nikki Shiels as Miles Franklin’s greatest creation, Sybylla Melvyn, in My Brilliant Career at Belvoir through to the end of this month, with an encore of smash hit Fangirls also ready to play, with masks a must-have, check-ins and lashings of hand sanitiser on offer.
Green Park in Darlinghurst's Green Park
Griffin Theatre’s first show for 2021, the raunchy queer-themed Green Park, was basically built with these trying times in mind, taking place in the outdoors park of the same name. This alfresco setting makes it one of the safest environments for a show, although face coverings and social distancing will still be required.
Sydney Festival
Sydney Festival will proceed as planned with only minor changes to the line-up. Face masks are mandatory for all indoor shows. The decision to hold most major events at the outdoor pop-up Barangaroo stage ensures a socially distanced safe space for headliners including Katie Noonan and friends in Cold Chisel mode for Songs of Don, Paul Capsis and iOTA in Rapture, and Paul Mac in the sold-out The Rise and Fall of St George.
Sadly astounding Adelaide-based circus company Gravity and Other Myths are unable to travel, necessitating the cancellation of The Pulse, while kids’ show Hide the Dog, by Tassie company Performing Lines, has also been scuppered for the same reason.