New theatre promises to restore Sydney's live entertainment credentials
Lisa Visentin
After more than two years of an “under construction” sign effectively hanging over the Darling Harbour precinct, the convention centre at the heart of the $3.4 billion redevelopment is just a few months away from completion.
With construction workers racing to put the final touches on the site, Fairfax Media was invited to peek behind the curtain of Sydney’s newest theatre, which management promises will restore Sydney’s live entertainment credentials.
Built to hold 9000 screaming fans, the International Convention Centre Sydney Theatre is equipped with a 44-metre-wide stage, the largest purpose-built stage in Australia.
The view across Darling Harbour’s convention centre precinct from inside the theatre. Photo: James Brickwood
Located mere metres from the old Sydney Entertainment Centre site, which was demolished in December 2015, the new venue will entice promoters and shows back into the heart of Sydney, ICC management said.
“There’s just nothing like it in Australia of this size and magnitude at 9000 [capacity]. Literally what we have built is a brand new product,” Phil King, the ICC’s director of live entertainment, said.
The venue owes its uniqueness in part to its theatre-like design, where seating is configured in forward-facing layers, rather than in a traditional horseshoe design. Retractable seating also means the stage floor can be expanded to hold a 2000-strong crowd.
In what Tourism Minister Stuart Ayers said was a promise of things to come, Keith Urban was announced on Tuesday as the venue’s first headline act when he opens the theatre on December 14.
An artist’s impression of the new International Convention Centre in Sydney. Image: Supplied
“[I]t shows the immense pulling power of the venue and the team behind it, which will help boost tourism and the economy,” he said.
ICC chief executive Geoff Donaghy said the convention centre had drummed up considerable attention internationally.
“The response we’re getting is that this is the most exciting project happening in our business anywhere in the world at the moment.”
The view of Sydney from inside the complex. Photo: James Brickwood
The ICC Sydney Theatre is the largest of three theatres built as part of the convention centre. Darling Harbour theatre, with a capacity of 2500, and the more intimate 1000-seat capacity Pyrmont theatre will also open in December.
Mr Donaghy remained coy when asked whether the ICC Sydney Theatre would seek to poach shows and acts from the city’s other favoured live entertainment venues, such as the Opera House and the State Theatre.
“Whether it’s [a] competition, that’s for them to decide,” he said.
