Playhouse is one of the most intimate performance venues within Sydney Opera House. It was originally designed for chamber orchestra recitals but has since been adapted and fitted out to accommodate theatrical productions. The performing companies that present annual programs in the Playhouse are Sydney Festival, Sydney Opera House and Bell Shakespeare Company.
It is best suited to single-set productions and small musical and dramatic productions. It is acoustically excellent and a perfect venue for chamber music, film screenings and spoken word presentations.
The maximum seating capacity is 398 in 17 rows. The fully raked auditorium ensures good sightlines from all seats. The walls and ceiling are clad in white birch timber and the floor is covered with red carpet. The seats are made of white birch timber and are upholstered in dark purple woollen fabric.
The venue is designed in an ‘end stage’ configuration. The A-symmetric stage can be extended in two stages, ‘half extension’ and ‘fully extended’. Each extension adds approximately 90cm to the depth of the stage and requires the removal of up to 23 seats. The stage area has a maximum depth of 8.6m with the stage fully extended and a usable width of approximately 10m (widest point is 13.6m). Twenty motorised battens are available above the stage for rigging lighting and scenery to a maximum height of 6.4m plus a single stick of tri-truss down stage on chain motors. The stage surface is masonite covering plywood that can be screwed into.
In addition to venue rental, there will be charges for technical equipment, technical and front-of-house labour and box office services where applicable. A detailed estimate of costs can be prepared when the requirements of the event are known.
Technical specifications and plans can be downloaded from the links in the right panel. Seating configurations are subject to change. Please contact the Box Office on +61 2 9250 7777 for details on a specific performance.
The Playhouse is fully scheduled each year and there is limited opportunity for venue hire.
For more information please contact Presenter Services:
Venue hiring enquiries: +61 2 9250 7393
Fax: +61 2 9250 7816
Email:venues@sydneyoperahouse.com