1. Opening night at Foundry Theatre
    Photograph: Foundry Theatre/Damien Ford
  2. Opening night at Foundry Theatre
    Photograph: Foundry Theatre/Damien Ford
  3. Opening night at Foundry Theatre
    Photograph: Foundry Theatre/Damien Ford
  4. Opening night at Foundry Theatre
    Photograph: Foundry Theatre/Damien Ford

Foundry Theatre

You'll find this intimate new performance venue tucked behind the Sydney Lyric Theatre
  • Theatre
  • Darling Harbour
Alannah Sue
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Time Out says

Sydney’s brand new entertainment venue is off to a running start, with the first audiences to fill the Foundry Theatre praising the venue’s impressive sound quality, top-notch lighting tech and intimate atmosphere. After none other than Tim Minchin christened the stage with a sold-out five-show run in February, the schedule for the year ahead is already packed with an impressive line-up of gigs, comedy, cabaret and musicals.

You’ll find the Foundry tucked behind the Sydney Lyric Theatre in Pyrmont (which, we would argue is one of the city’s better venues for musical theatre, aside from the fact it’s inside a casino). To make your way there, enter the Lyric’s foyer, hang a left, and follow the elaborate series of backstage passageways. (Hot tip: you’ll stumble across the Foundry’s own mini foyer on your journey, so you don’t need to fight the Lyric’s substantially larger audience for access to the candy bar.)

If we were to sum up the vibe, we’d say it feels kind of like someone squished the Enmore Theatre into a loading dock, smoothed the Art Deco accents down into a more minimalist look, and maintained the killer lighting rig and audio quality – and we're into it!

A venture of Foundation Theatres, the company that owns both the Sydney Lyric and the stunning Capitol Theatre, the intimacy of the Foundry is a welcome addition to the Sydney performance circuit. A flexible space, it can seat 360 seated guests, or up to 630 standing. 

This is just the beginning, too, with Foundation Theatres recently cementing a deal with The Star to transform the casino into a ‘West End’ style theatre district. This includes plans to convert The Star’s events centre into a 1550-seat proscenium arch theatre, and a separate 1000-seat room for contemporary music and comedy. However this pans out, we’ll just be happy to see Sydney gain some slick new theatres!

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Details

Address
The Star
55 Pirrama Road
Pyrmont
Sydney
2009

What’s on

L’Hôtel

It’s time to ring that bell and check in for an intoxicating blend of Parisian cabaret, dazzling aerial artistry and breathtaking burlesque. Following sold-out seasons at the Sydney Opera House and the Adelaide Cabaret Festival, L’Hôtel returns to Sydney this winter, taking over the brand new Foundry Theatre from May 24 to July 6. Sydney’s own enfant terrible prince of pop Brendan Maclean takes centre stage, causing mischief alongside acting legend John Waters (Offspring, All Saints, Bloom) as L’Hôtel’s devoted hotelier, as well as a jaw-dropping cast of multi-talented entertainers.  The creation of visionary director Craig Ilott (Gatsby at the Green Light, Amadeus) and designer Stuart Couzens, this fresh twist on L’Hôtel promises to be more extravagant than ever. The pair describe the show as a world where temptation lurks in every shadow: “L’Hôtel is where elegance meets mischief, where stolen glances turn into whispered confessions, and every doorway leads to desire. It’s transportative, intoxicating, and unlike anything else in Sydney right now. Prepare to check in.” More than a show, L’Hôtel is a feast for the senses. If you choose to level up to the VIP experience, the night begins with a chilled glass of French Champagne, paired with a curated cheese board featuring the finest French selections. As the drama unfolds, guests will savour delicate éclairs and enjoy dedicated table service – fully immersing them in the seductive world of L’Hôtel from the best seats in...
  • Circuses
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