Contemporary Performance presented by Sydney Opera House
Unmissable stories for the stage
Contemporary Performance at the Sydney Opera House offers audiences entertainment in all its forms. From jaw-dropping circus and spectacular magic to side-splitting comedy, stories that capture the imagination told through dance or sung by powerful voices, to immersive experiences and cabaret that will get the heart-rate racing – the program guarantees a great night out for any occasion.
The vibrant program presents boundary-pushing performances, contemporary retellings of the classics and the productions and icons at the heart of popular culture – all brought to life by the crème-de-la-crème of artists, performers and directors from Australia and around the world.
Theatre & Music Theatre
Recent highlights include the gripping production of Peter Shaffer’s Academy Award®-winning masterpiece Amadeus starring Michael Sheen, the smash-hit meta theatrical comedy from rising star Liz Kingsman One Woman Show and The Little Prince, and a breathtaking reimagining of the French classic by Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s combining movement, music, aerials and an ethereal narration.
Music theatre presentations include the electrifying musical phenomenon SIX direct from the West End; the smash-hit sensation Fangirls; Lin-Manuel Miranda’s In the Heights; and Stephen Sondheim’s Tony Award®-winning musical thriller Sweeney Todd.
Cabaret & Magic
From legendary magic duo Penn and Teller redefining popular magic with their unusual mix of mind-blowing magic tricks, comedy and blunders to world-renowned mentalist Scott Silven’s Wonders challenging audiences to reconsider the powers of the mind, these entertaining shows thrill audiences with bold burlesque, captivating magic and exciting acrobatics.
The program also includes spectacular cabaret performances such as immersive theatrical experience L’Hotel which dazzled audiences with its provocative combination of cabaret, burlesque and circus, and Velvet Rewired, a glittering extravaganza of circus, cabaret and a love-letter to disco.
Dance
The latest dance works presented include playful and intimate tribute to hip hop’s origins, Deejay x Dancer, as well as the upcoming season of dance theatre production Message In A Bottle, from award-winning choreographer Kate Prince and set to the iconic music of Sting.
The Opera House has also presented leading international productions from pre-eminent dance companies and choreographers including Akram Khan, Michael Keegan-Dolan, Michael Clark Company, Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company, Ballet Preljocaj, Sharon Eyal’s L-E-V Dance Company, Natalia Osipova and Hofesh Shechter OBE.
Comedy
Contemporary Performance celebrates Australia’s world-class comedians, presenting Hannah Gadsby’s comedy phenomena Nanette and Douglas in the Concert Hall, and Body of Work in the Joan Sutherland Theatre, as well as comedy heroes Celia Pacquola, Sam Simmons, Wil Anderson, Tom Gleeson, Kitty Flanagan, Lano & Woodley, and Judith Lucy.
Programming highlights
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L'Hotel - the immersive theatrical experience featuring the crème de la crème of performers from cabaret, burlesque, aerial and circus, October 2022, Studio, Image: Jordan Munns -
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Amadeus - reimagines the lives of Salieri and Mozart, fueled by ambition, obsession, and betrayal, January 2023, Concert Hall, Image: Daniel Boud -
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The Mirror - Gravity and Other Myths, February 2023, Drama Theatre, Image: Daniel Boud -
Scott Silven: Wonders, June 2022, Playhouse, Image: Jacquie Manning -
Penn & Teller - The magical duo are a class act that keep it simple, sincere, and supremely entertaining, June 2022, Sydney Opera House, Image: Daniel Boud
Harry Prouse Head of Contemporary Performance
Harry Prouse is an arts leader with extensive experience in commercial and contemporary performance across Australia.
His appointment as Head of Contemporary Performance in November 2025 followed four years of senior producing roles at the Sydney Opera House. Working in theatre, musical theatre, circus, cabaret, dance and comedy, he has led the delivery of cornerstone programming including Amadeus starring Michael Sheen as part of the Opera House’s 50th anniversary celebrations, a sold-out season of Penn & Teller and the world premiere of GATSBY at the Green Light.
Prior to joining the Opera House, he produced commercial theatre seasons for Kay & McLean Productions and Tinderbox Productions, and held a number of positions across touring, audience development, venue management, marketing and licensing in organisations including Music Theatre International, The LUME – Grande Experiences and fortyfivedownstairs. Early in his career, Harry produced Little BIGSOUND in partnership with QMusic, and 4 Walls Festival.
Harry holds a Masters of Arts (Arts Management) from Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, and a Bachelor of Arts from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts.
