First Wave Crystal Voyager + Director Q&A with special guests
9 – 10 August 2024
In the Playhouse
Cinema
Australia | 1973 | English | Documentary
Over 50 years since it first premiered at Sydney Opera House, legendary surf film Crystal Voyager returns to our shores for the debut of a new 4K restoration.
These special screenings are followed by a Q&A with director David Elfick plus special guests.
| Date | Time |
| Friday 9 August 2024 | 8.30pm |
| Saturday 10 August 2024 | 5.15pm |
| Ticket | Price |
| Standard | $30 |
| Concession | $26 |
| Ticket + Drink | |
| Standard | $39* |
| Multipack | |
| Purchase a ticket to two films from First Wave to save 15% | $51 |
| Purchase a ticket to three films from First Wave to save 20% | $72 |
$8.95 booking fee applies per transaction
*Includes one standard ticket plus one drink redeemable on the day of the event from the Western Foyers Bar. Drink options include one glass of house red or white wine, prosecco, house beer or soft drink. See T&Cs under 'Event information'.
Prices correct at the time of publication and subject to change without notice. Exact prices will be displayed with seat selection.
The only authorised ticket agency for this event is Sydney Opera House. For more information about Authorised Agencies, see the frequently asked questions below.
General Public tickets on-sale
9am, Wednesday 26 June
In English
Wheelchair accessible:
There are a number of wheelchair and companion seating locations in our theatres. To book accessible seating contact Box Office:
Telephone
+61 2 9250 7777
(Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm AEST)
Email bookings@sydneyoperahouse.com
Find out more about accessibility at Sydney Opera House.
Run time
The total duration of this event is approximately 103 minutes. This includes a film duration of 73 minutes and a Q&A of 30 minutes.
Event duration is a guide only and may be subject to change.
Friday 9 August
Featuring a Q&A with David Elfick, Chris Brock and moderated by Luke Kennedy (Editor, Tracks).
Saturday 10 August
Featuring a Q&A with David Elfick, Scott Kennedy and Ray Argall, moderated by Kim Batterham ACS
Age
This event is classified General (G).
Children aged 15 years and under must be accompanied at all times.
The Opera House is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children that visit or engage with us. Read our Child Safety Policy
Ticket + Drink
The Ticket + Drink entitles a patron to one standard entry to the film screening plus one drink. Drink options include one glass of house red or white wine, prosecco, house beer or soft drink. Red wine must be consumed prior to entering the theatre.
Redeem your drink prior to the film start time. The voucher must be redeemed on the same day as the film screening date displayed on your ticket. The drink voucher is only redeemable at the bar located in the Sydney Opera House Western Foyers. For further information please contact the Box Office: +61 2 9250 7777
Alcoholic beverages are subject to the NSW Responsible Service of Alcohol Act.
The GuardianThe Citizen Kane of surfing pictures.
World premiere of a new 4K restoration
Long before John John and Torren Martyn set sail, George Greenough enchanted audiences with his nautically themed surf film, Crystal Voyager. Initially premiering at the Sydney Opera House in 1973, the movie was brilliantly crafted by David Elfick and Albe Falzon in the wake of their success with Morning of The Earth. Narrated by Greenough, Crystal Voyager provides a revealing insight into George’s practical and creative talents, along with his ability to look to nature for inspiration. Featuring Greenough and Nat Young enjoying magical waves in isolated settings, the film plays to the theme of surfing escapism, while documenting the practical challenges associated with rigging up a boat for an epic surf journey.
The final section of the film ‘Echoes’ features a famous Pink Floyd soundtrack. Showcasing Greenough’s pioneering POV footage, ‘Echoes’ becomes a kind of transcendental cinematic experience. To fully appreciate the beautifully restored mastery of Crystal Voyager, it must be witnessed on the big screen.
Presented by Sydney Opera House and Tracks
First Wave Multipacks
See more and save. Buy tickets to two films from First Wave to save 15%, or see three films and save 20%.
Cast and credits
Credits
Director
David Elfick
Albert Falzon
George Greenough
Producer
David Elfick
Featuring
George Greenough
Nat Young
Ritchie West
Camera
George Greenough
Albert Falzon
Digital Restoration
Ray Argall
Scott Welsh
David Elfick
Greg Fitzgerald
NFSA
First Wave
From its opening days in 1973, Sydney Opera House's Playhouse was a thriving home for a radical wave of surf films, drawing audiences from across the harbour in droves. Marking the return of surf films to the Sydney Opera House, First Wave shines a light on this legacy with a selection of recently restored psychedelic surf classics and contemporary documentaries.
Other information
Venue information
Our 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.
All Sydney Opera House foyers are pram accessible, with lifts to the main and western foyers. The public lift to all foyers is accessible from the corridor near the escalators on the Lower Concourse and also in the Western Foyer via the corridor on the Ground Level (at the top of the escalators). Pram parking will be available outside the theatres in the Western Foyer.
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 minute 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.
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.
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