Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour–West Side Story

Performances every Tuesday - Sunday at 7.30pm commencing Friday 22 March until Sunday 21 April 2019.

Exception: No performance on Good Friday, 19 April 2019.

Please note: West Side Story on Sydney Harbour on 17 April 2019 is a Relaxed Performance*

For bookings after 2pm on the day of performance, please call  1300 723 038.

*See accessibilty tab below for details

Sunday - Thursday Performance Pricing

Friday Performance Pricing

Saturday Performance Pricing

Prices correct at the time of publication and subject to change without notice. Exact prices will be displayed with seat selection. Children aged 15 years and under must be accompanied at all times.

This is a guide only and may be subject to change.

Audio Described, Closed Caption & Relaxed Performance – Wednesday 17 April 7.30pm

This is an audio described performance for those with vision impairments. Audio-described bookings can only be made through Opera Australia by calling the Box Office on 02 9318 8200 or by emailing ticketing@opera.org.au.

This is also a closed captioned performance. Simply download the GoTheatrical app to access live captions on your mobile or tablet device. Captioning will be accessible via the app from any seat in the grandstand, so there is no need to choose a seat in any particular designated area of the theatre.

Relaxed Performance

This style of performance is designed to ensure young adults with a disability and their families, or anyone who enjoys a relaxed environment, are able to enjoy the performance experience together. 

This relaxed performance will allow guests to come and go from their seats during the performance and venue lights will remain on at low levels. 

Some lighting or sound features of the show may also be adjusted minimally, but there are no significant differences to the production. 

The performance will be audio-described, and those who wish to will be able to read captions on handheld devices. 

A ‘Quiet Space’ will  also be made available if a break from the show is needed and our staff can offer advice on other spaces if needed.

Find out more information about accessibility at this venue in the FAQs below.

Children 15 or under must be accompanied by an adult. All patrons, irrespective of age, must hold a valid ticket.

Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour is an open-air and all-weather event

The venue, audience seating, and the stage are completely uncovered. The event is an all-weather experience and Opera Australia is committed to going ahead with a performance of Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour even in doubtful or unfavourable weather conditions. Please come prepared so that you are as comfortable as possible, and ready to support the performers, who will carry on singing in the rain.

Bring warm and waterproof clothing

Sydney weather is full of surprises so we recommend that you dress with this in mind and bring warm, weatherproof clothing. Please note that although umbrellas can be brought to the venue, out of consideration for other members of the audience they cannot be used during the performance.

Performance pauses and cancellations

We will only cancel a performance during electrical storms (within 10km radius) or during times of extremely high winds and/or rain. The decision to cancel a performance is not made until 7.30pm or later and a cancellation may be called during the performance.  So please plan to travel to the venue for a 7.30pm performance start time even in unfavourable weather conditions.

In some weather conditions West Side Story may have a delayed start time or be paused for up to 50 minutes at any point throughout the performance.

Auxiliary expenses including travel, accommodation or hospitality which you have arranged in conjunction with the performance are at your own risk and not refundable by Opera Australia.

Yes! You can exchange your tickets up to two working days before the performance you hold tickets to. Opera Australia subscription tickets can be exchanged for free (through Opera Australia only). All other tickets may be exchanged for a fee of $18 per ticket. Exchange fees must be paid at the time of the exchange, and you'll need to pay any difference in price between the original ticket and the new ticket. To arrange an exchange please contact the Box Office on +61 2 9250 7777 (Monday to Saturday 9am – 8:30pm and Sunday 10am – 6pm). 

All applause will be gratefully received, although it is polite to wait until the singing has stopped. Don’t be alarmed if the people around you start stomping their feet at the end of the performance: this is an opera tradition to show your enjoyment and appreciation. Feel free to join in!

The authorised agencies for this event are Sydney Opera House, Opera Australia and Ticketmaster.

Only tickets purchased by authorised agencies should be considered valid and reliable.

The Sydney Opera House is the only authorised ticket seller for Events at the Sydney Opera House, unless we specify on our website that there are other authorised ticket sellers for a specific event.

Tickets purchased from Ticketmaster Resale, Viagogo, Ticketbis, eBay, Gumtree, Tickets Australia or any other unauthorised re-seller may be cancelled without notice and/or the holder may be refused admission to the event.

IIt’s a great idea to arrive early, grab a drink and soak up the view.  The venue opens at 5pm every evening. 

If you are collecting your tickets from the on-site box office on Mrs Macquaries Road at Fleet Steps, we recommend doing this at least 1 hour before the event starts. If you have already received your tickets, aim to arrive at least 30 minutes before the event to give you time to find your seats.

If you are late, we will seat you as soon as possible, but please be aware that some events have lock out periods where late comers cannot be admitted until a suitable break in the performance.  Occasionally this is not until the interval, or if there is no interval, late comers may not be admitted at all. Latecomers may not be admitted to their allocated seats.  Details of our right to refuse admission can be found in our General Terms and Conditions for Tickets and Events.

The site opens at 5pm. Plan to arrive early and savour a drink and something delicious while you watch the sun set over the harbour. Five different restaurant and bar areas on site serve a range of foods to suit every appetite and budget.

Please don't bring a picnic. Only food and beverages purchased on site can be consumed within the venue.

You can't bring your own food or drink into this event, but don't worry - there'll be plenty of options within the venue.

Handa Opera in Sydney Harbour has wheelchair locations, companion seats and level access seats available. 

Wheelchair accessible seats

Customers requiring wheelchair and/or companion seating should contact the Ticketing Services Office on +61 2 9318 8200, Monday – Friday 9am to 5pm. Wheelchair locations and companion seats are in sections F, G and H, Row JJ.

Level access seats

The best seats for mobility impaired audience members (who are not bound to a wheelchair) are in the first 5 rows of sections A-E. The path to these seats is downhill to seats in row 1 and then up a few stairs to seats in higher rows. On the way out, the path is back uphill and mobility impaired patrons should consider requesting the use of a wheelchair (subject to availability) and assistance in exiting the venue.

Please also note that whilst Front-of-House do their very best to move patrons promptly, patrons requiring assistance exiting the venue may experience delays. 

Mrs Macquaries Road, leading into the venue, is likely to experience traffic congestion. We highly recommend avoiding this road by catching public transport or parking in surrounding car parks and then catching our free shuttle bus. 

Public transport

When walking from the train/bus remember that access to the venue via the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney is only possible prior to 6pm. After this time, the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney is closed from all entrances and not possible to walk through.

The nearest train stations are:
St James: approximately a 16-minute walk* (1.3 km)
Martin Place: approximately an 18-minute walk* (1.5 km)
Circular Quay: approximately a 29-minute walk* (2.3 km)

*These linked maps and estimated walk times use routes outside of The Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney. If you're walking before the Garden gates close (prior to 6.30pm in March and 6pm in April), using a route through the Garden will save time.  

Bus route 200 stops on Macquarie Street. 

All schedules, times and dates can be viewed at the transportnsw.info.

Water Taxis

Water taxis run a special service during the Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour performance season.

Water taxis will depart regularly from Man O'War Jetty (next to Sydney Opera House) from 4.30pm until 7.30pm and drop off at The Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool wharf in Woolloomooloo Bay, which is a 3 minute walk to the venue. 

After the performance, taxis will recommence for the return trip and make an additional drop-off stop only at Circular Quay. Tickets are $10 each way.

Parking

The Domain Car Park is the closest car park. From 4:30pm, a flat rate of $10 applies. The carpark will be open until 1am during the performance season. A free shuttle bus is available to guests who park in the Domain Car Park (see details below). Parking spots for those with disability parking permits are located at the northern end of the ground floor.

There is metered parking along Mrs Macquaries Road, Hospital Road and Macquarie Street. Meters accept cash, credit card or payment by mobile phone. You need to register to pay with your mobile phone at https://www.parkmobile.com.au.

Art Gallery Road, leading into the venue, is likely to experience traffic congestion. We highly recommend arranging an alternative drop off/meeting point.

Shuttle bus 

The pre-performance shuttle service starts at 4:30pm and runs on a loop from the Domain Car Park (departing from Sir John Young Crescent on the ground floor) to the venue entrance on Mrs Macquaries Road. The shuttle ride takes approximately 5 minutes, depending on traffic.

The post-performance shuttle service starts from 10:15pm and runs until midnight, or until the last patron has left, and stops at both the Art Gallery of NSW and the Domain Car Park.

View shuttle bus drop-off and pick-up points (pdf)

View shuttle pick-up point at the Domain Car Park (pdf)

The Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour shuttle bus departs from the ground floor of the Domain Car Park and is wheelchair accessible.

You’re welcome to take photos of the site and venue before and after the performance, however, no photography is permitted during the performance.