NEW ARTISTIC DIRECTOR FOR THE SYDNEY THEATRE COMPANY

02
Sep
2015

WE WILL CERTAINLY MISS THEM!

As Andrew Upton and Kate Blanchett reach the end of their tenure with the Sydney Theatre Company, keen theatre-goers are getting ready to welcome the new Artistic Director.   I, for one, have been wondering who could possibly fill their shoes.  Andrew Upton has been Artistic Director at the Sydney Theatre Company for the past 8 years and his wife Kate Blanchett, co-Artistic Director for the first 5 years.  She has also performed in many of their productions.  

It was announced last week that Jonathan Church from the UK is to be the new Artistic director of the STC.

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 Jonathan Church is currently working on and directing the Australian production of  Singin’ in the Rain which begins touring Australia in 2016. Jonathan has been the Artistic Director of the Chichester Festival Theatre since 2006 and has been very successful in re-inventing and transforming this theatre.  This will be the first time that an International director takes up this position with the STC.    

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The Uptons are scheduled to leave the STC at the end of the year or mid-2016  and Jonathan will then begin programming the Season for 2017.
Many Australians are deeply committed to the Theatre and Performance Arts in general and Australian theatre has long established itself as a leader in the global arena of Performing Arts.  The Sydney Theatre Company has received it’s share of worldwide acclaim by touring internationally with a selection of their productions, earning enormous recognition and respect.

 The STC announces their forthcoming annual season in November of each year and there is usually a mad rush for tickets.  So much so, that I elected this year to buy season tickets and choose the shows I want to attend during the year.  I am very excited to be seeing “The Present” next week.  Cate Blanchett and Richard Roxburgh star in Andrew Upton’s new adaption of Chekhov’s first play.  

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King Lear on January 5, 2016 will be a highlight!
Starring Geoffrey Rush and directed by Neil Armfield, it has to be a winner.  Rush and Armfield, friends for over 30 years have  worked together on many successful productions,  Hamlet and The Diary of a Madman amongst others. This creative partnership delivers every time!

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The STC has it’s home at The Wharf in Walsh Bay which has gradually been transformed into an arts precinct.  The Sydney Dance Company, Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, Bangarra Dance Theatre and Ausdance are a few of the other performing arts companies now enjoying premises at The Wharf.   Enjoying a prime location, with views directly onto Sydney Harbour Bridge,  this re-imagined industrial site is exciting to visit.  There is a great restaurant and bar and enjoying a drink, overlooking the water before the show is a must!

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Outlook from STC Wharf restaurant 

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People enjoying the view of Sydney harbor from the Opera Bar (Sydney Opera House in background) at night, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Approaching the Opera Bar at the Opera House with sensational views.  A great spot for a glass of champagne or a meal before or after a show.


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The magnificent Iconic Sydney Opera House


When it comes to the Performing Arts, the city of Sydney keeps on giving.    A night out at any of the magnificent venues, watching world-class performances is always a privilege.

COMMENTS

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  • Thanks so much Pammie – you had me laughing with the description of the King who wouldn't arrive! The Arts are a wonderful inheritance from one's parents and you were lucky that yours were lovers of ballet and opera. xx

  • Thanks so much Prue …. There is so much theatre for children in Sydney and my daughter-in-law has been taking Issy since she was two!! So pleased you enjoyed reading! Seeing "The Present" on Wednesday and very excited! xx

  • They have just released the programme for 2016! I bet it will be sold out within a month! It's a bit hard booking theatre so so far in advance… but it's the only way to be sure of seeing them! Thanks for stopping by Heidi! xx

  • We are so lucky having some of our theatres positioned close to the water and also giving such superb performances… all in all always a wonderful outing! Thanks so much for stopping by Benelope!

  • Anonymous says:

    Sad to think Cate and Andrew are leaving these shores – understandable though it is. Sydneysiders are so fortunate with their access to theatre, concerts, opera etc.
    Have always loved the theatre, particularly after studying several drama units: English Drama (not confined to English drama despite the name – we read everything from Aeschylus to Theatre of the Absurd) and Elizabethan and Jacobean Drama for my Arts degree. One year the Intervarsity Drama Festival was held at Q'ld U – there were some magnificent productions: Commedia dell'Arte, Euripedes, Ben Johnson, Becket etc. Some of the student actors later went on to the stage professionally and Australian television. One of the most memorable performances though, another Greek tragedy, was something of a disaster – the chorus figure stood at the front of the stage and addressed the audience "Lo, here comes the King". But the King did not appear. Chorus repeated his line. The audience could see what he could not. A figure was trying to emerge from behind the curtains at the back of the stage but couldn't find the opening. There was much flailing of arms and kicking of curtains as he tried desperately to get onto the stage. The Chorus was also getting desperate. He kept shouting his line over and over and looking more and more upset – he couldn't understand why the audience had gone from giggles and quiet guffaws to side-splitting bellows. Finally the King emerged – but it was all over with that production – the audience just couldn't take it seriously after that.
    When we lived in London years ago we had Early Bird mail order subscription to the National Theatre. Absolutely marvellous – wonderful productions with actors who've become stalwarts of the English stage and screen, eg – Judy Dench and Maggie Smith. One evening we were seated next to Margot Fonteyn and Rudolf Nureyev for a Restoration Comedy with a young Maggie Smith in the lead.
    My parents were great lovers of ballet and opera too – my first ballet was "Swan Lake" in Sydney when I was about ten and first opera was "La Traviata" in Brisbane when I was around 13. Have loved them all ever since. Best wishes, Pamela

  • I remember my parents used to take my sister and me to the theatre regularly. It was always such a special evening, getting dressed up and going out to dinner, then the excitement settling into our seats. The great acoustics made it so atmospheric, and hearing the orchestra tune up (quite often we would go to some kind of musical performance) would always add to the anticipation. Jenny, you've tapped into quite a vein of memory for me! I can't wait to share such wonderful experiences with my own daughter, although at 6 months old it might be a while before she's ready! Lovely post as usual, and looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the performances

  • Lovely post Jenny. Lucky to be able to access such wonderful theatre.

  • You're so lucky to be close to somewhere with such world class theatre. I used to love when we lived in Melbourne as we'd get to the MTC quite a bit and I do miss it now. I've also tried on a few occasions to purchase tickets for the STC, but of course they are sold out so far in advance I've never been successful. xx