Free event
On the Forecourt
Experiences
A unique portrait of Sydney created by its people, showcasing the story, sentiments and soul of the city. Raised above the forecourt, citizens walk a 60 metre catwalk backed by live music, projected photographs and text.
|
Date |
Time |
|
Sunday 1 October 2023 |
4pm |
A maximum of four (4) tickets per customer applies.
The authorised agencies for this event are Sydney Opera House. For more information about Authorised Agencies, see the frequently asked questions below.
In English
Wheelchair accessible
No language barrier
Find out more about accessibility at Sydney Opera House
Run time
This performance will run for approximately 60 minutes.
Event duration is a guide only and may be subject to change.
Age
Recommended for all ages.
What Is the City but the People? will be live-streamed as part of the 50/50 Birthday Festival streaming season.
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Join us to celebrate the people of Sydney
A celebration of the people of Sydney. Raised above the forecourt, citizens walk a 60 metre catwalk backed by live music, large scale projected photographs and text, creating a unique portrait of people and place.
A work of the people by the people for the people, showcasing the story, sentiments and soul of the city.
From an idea by Jeremy Deller, directed by Richard Gregory, the event is one of the opening events of the Sydney Opera House 50th Birthday Festival and is designed to showcase the incredible diversity of local people and communities.
Participants
Raymond Minniecon (Ray)
Babsy Assefa
Kaus Trivedi
Rachel L.
Ingrid Barnes
Vashti Hughes
Karen Levin
Awkar Ruel
Pauline Kramer-Saxon
Anandavalli
Pia Andersen
Joanna Drayton
Somerset Drayton
Jain Moralee
Sue Healey
Eileen Kramer
Cearan Wu
Emily Wu
Sharon Billinge
Jess Cook
Cynthia Simango
Kirsty Reid
Scout Symons
Emma Borley
Haylee Binks
Nicole Christie
Imraan Daniels
Nima Dorkian
Gary Gahan
Margaret Skagias
Noriko Yamanaka
Jenny Zhang
Assefa Bekele
Chrissy Flanagan
Jess Liang
Ivan Ginovic
Kirbee Lawler
Colin Blake (Col)
Shirley Blake
Jodie E. Morrison
Karim Bouchafaa
Ben Fitzell
DanPhuong Nguyen
Sarah Armstrong
Winona Poon
John Kapos
Tim Miles
Rochelle Keshishian
Quinn Cooney
Sage Kikui
Neil Grigg
Damian C.
Jennifer Turpin
Alex Greenwich MP
Yvonne Weldon AM
Hazem Sedda
Mark Olive
Amar Sing
Paul Nunnari
Kit Lee
Aminata Conteh-Biger
John Hoffmann
Matthew Hoffmann
Monica Hoffmann
Paul Hoffmann
Tim Hoffmann
Corinne Rapp Hoffmann
Frosene Agathokleous - Jitterbug Club
Diamond Araujo - Jitterbug Club
Tatiana Imperi - Jitterbug Club
Emily Johnston - Jitterbug Club
Grady Roberts - Jitterbug Club
Drew Urquhert - Jitterbug Club
Peter Van Vliet - Jitterbug Club
Kenneth Williams - Jitterbug Club
Ellinor G. - Aerialize YPT
Ema Jazbec - Aerialize YPT
Zara Jazbec - Aerialize YPT
Lola Kemp - Aerialize YPT
Bel Macedone - Aerialize YPT
Aya Maltby - Aerialize YPT
Jane P. - Aerialize YPT
Sally P. - Aerialize YPT
Charlie Rowe - Aerialize YPT
Arwen Suharto - Aerialize YPT
Mikaela Vass - Aerialize YPT
Cate Bennett - Red Cross
Angelique Devise (Angie) - Red Cross
John Duffy - Red Cross
Edris Hassan (Edris) - Red Cross
Christene Oakes - Red Cross
Tara Wright - Red Cross
Cedric Amolis - One Wave
Chloe Austron - One Wave
David Bryant - One Wave
Jen Handley - One Wave
Lulu Brotto - One Wave
Liv Phyland - One Wave
Pearl Wearne - One Wave
Charlotte Wearne - One Wave
Ben Cryan - One Wave
Gillian Edmondson-Jones - Bourke St Garden
Jayavani Rao - Bourke St Garden
Shane Wilson - Bourke St Garden
Jennifer Zeitoun Bourke St Garden
Benny Kisimba - Kisimba Family
Elizabeth Kisimba - Kisimba Family
Emily Kisimba - Kisimba Family
Isaac Kisimba Jnr. - Kisimba Family
Justine Kisimba - Kisimba Family
Isaac Kisimba Snr. - Kisimba Family
Nadine Kisimba - Kisimba Family
Phillipe Kisimba - Kisimba Family
Julian Chan - WE ARE HERE
Naomi Reichardt - WE ARE HERE
Carlie Shaw - WE ARE HERE
Jaz Stephens OAM
Jodie Meildling
Jeremy Carter
Joseph Emile (Sonny)
Solomone Fotu (Biggie)
Tino Isiah (Free)
Ned Narouz
Hang Viet Vu
Natalie Corda
Zack Corda
Jessica Grace (Jess)
Sonia White
Alexis Arnold-Hall (Lexie)
Christopher Hall
Liz Cater
Daniel Rose
Mariia Mykytiuk
Lennon Tunnicliffe
Pip Tunnicliffe
Lucy Suze Taylor
Artist information
Created by
the People of Sydney
Director
Richard Gregory
From an idea by
Jeremy Deller
Designer
Simon Banham
Writer
Felicity Castagna
Photographer
Joseph Mayers
AV Design
Ian Galloway
Music
Stereogamous
Choreographer
Emma Saunders
Originally commissioned and produced by Manchester International Festival
This program is proudly supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW’s Blockbusters Funding initiative
Local Government Partner City of Sydney
Our Generous Family of Donors
Other information
Getting here
The Sydney Opera House Car Park, operated by Wilson Parking, is open and available to use. Wilson Parking offer discounted parking if you book ahead. Please see the Wilson Parking website for details.
Please check the Transport NSW website for the latest advice and information on travel. You can catch public transport (bus, train, ferry) to Circular Quay and enjoy a six min walk to the Opera House.
Covid-safe information
The health and wellbeing of everyone attending the Opera House is our top priority. We’re committed to making your experience safe, comfortable and enjoyable, with a number of measures in place including regular cleaning of high-touch areas, air conditioning systems that maximise ventilation, and hand sanitiser stations positioned in all paths of travel. We remind our audiences and visitors to please stay home if you feel unwell. If you need to discuss your ticketing or booking options, contact our Box Office team on 02 9250 7777.
The health and wellbeing of everyone attending the Opera House is our top priority. We have a number of safety measures in place including regular cleaning of high-touch areas, air conditioning systems that maximise ventilation, and hand sanitiser stations positioned in all paths of travel. While face masks are no longer required, we ask all our patrons and visitors to practise good hygiene. Please stay home if you feel unwell and read more about our flexible ticket options.
The Sydney Opera House no longer requires patrons to show that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Frequently asked questions
Ticket purchases and collection at our Box Office is discouraged and eTicket or postal delivery methods should be used, wherever possible. However, if you are collecting your tickets from the Box Office, we recommend doing this at least 60 minutes before the event starts. If you have already received your tickets, the venue doors will be open 45 minutes pre-show for Joan Sutherland Theatre performances, and 30 minutes pre-show for Western Foyer venue performances. Please take your seats as soon as you arrive.
If you are late, we will seat you as soon as we can and, where possible, in your allocated seat. However, to reduce movement in the venue as well as minimise disruption to the performance and other patrons, ticketholders may be seated in an allocated latecomer’s seat. Please be aware that some events have lock-out periods. In these cases, latecomers will be admitted at a suitable break in the performance. On occasions, this may not be until the interval, or at all where there is no interval.
Details of our right to refuse admission can be found in our General Terms and Conditions for Tickets and Events.
In accordance with our venue security procedures, Opera House security will be scanning and checking bags under the Monumental Stairs, prior to entering the building. Bags will be scanned by an x-ray machine, and staff will wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when handling your belongings, such as gloves. Cloaking facilities will be open 60 minutes pre-show for Concert Hall and Joan Sutherland Theatre performances, and 60 minutes pre-show for Western Foyer venue performances. However it is strongly encouraged that you travel lightly to minimise contact and queuing. Any bags larger than an A4 piece of paper will need to be checked into the Cloak Room.
The authorised agency for this event is the Sydney Opera House.
Only tickets purchased by authorised agencies should be considered reliable. If you purchase tickets from a non-authorised agency such as Ticketmaster Resale, Viagogo, Ticketbis, eBay, Gumtree, Tickets Australia or any other unauthorised seller, you risk that these tickets are fake, void or have previously been cancelled. RESALE RESTRICTION APPLIES. For more details, please refer to our General Terms and Conditions for Tickets and Attendance at Events.
Please contact Box Office on 9250 7777 as soon as possible to advise if you can no longer attend.
Foyers will be open 90 minutes pre-show for Concert Hall and Joan Sutherland Theatre performances, and two hours pre-show for Western Foyer venue performances. Refreshments will be available for purchase from our theatre bars.
The venue doors will be open 45 minutes pre-show for Concert Hall and Joan Sutherland Theatre performances, and 30 minutes pre-show for Western Foyer venue performances.
Please bring a credit or debit card for any on site purchases to enable contactless payment. You’re welcome to bring your own water bottle but no other food and drinks are permitted inside our venues. Opera Bar, Opera Kitchen and Portside are also available for you to enjoy.
The health, safety and wellbeing of everyone at the Sydney Opera House is our top priority. In line with this commitment, the Opera House became a smoke-free site in January 2022. Read our Smoke-free Environment Policy.