How often do you compare an artist’s impression of proposed architecture,
and find that it rarely matches the actual build? Not so with the newest (and
perhaps most impressive) addition to Sydney’s list of performance venues.
The new Sydney Coliseum Theatre, privately constructed at a
cost of $100 million, might easily put established city venues to shame. Finally
giving the Greater West of Sydney an astonishing 2000 seat theatre, with the
versatility to attract the greatest performers in the world today.
The launch party featured John Butler, Amy Shark, and
headlined by Keith Urban, joined by fans belting out the lyrics to each one of
the numbers. But earlier in the week, the stage was christened with performances
given by the one and only Dame Edna Everage.
VIDEO: View from Row V, Seat 55 - Launch night, Keith Urban performs.
Technically and architecturally, the space can be
reconfigured for everything from standing concerts to conferences and
traditional Broadway musicals. It includes a retractable orchestra pit big
enough for pretty much any show, a full-sized rehearsal room and fully
retractable seating. The raking can virtually guarantee an uninterrupted view
of the stage irrespective of any large lad (or tall hairdo) sitting in front of you.
For patrons, there are plenty of bars on each level too,
reducing waiting time for a drink at intermission to a mere minute or so, even
with the capacity crowd. And there’s free parking for around 2000 cars, a privilege
to only dream about when attending shows in the CBD.
The theatre owes it existence to the revenue raised by its
owner, the formerly named Rooty Hill RSL Club. Shaking off its previous moniker
as the ‘Vegas of the West’, the club has successfully rebranded as ‘West HQ’ further
cementing it as the Greater West’s centre for entertainment, dining, sports and
short stay accommodation (both Novotel and Pullman have properties on site).
The
Coliseum, recognised as the venue ‘built by the pokies’ also introduces an alternative revenue opportunity, with the RSL’s chief executive previously stating the
RSL’s reliance on gambling income will have dropped to 50 per cent by the end
of the theatre’s first year. This also means that patrons have the choice of an
affordable dinner before the show, drinks afterwards, and a well-appointed room
for the night if required, all within the West HQ precinct.
The 2016 census reveals that the usual resident population
of the Greater Western Sydney Region in that year was 2,307,183. Even so, local
venues such as in Penrith (Richard Bonynge Concert Hall seats 550), and Parramatta
(Riverside Theatre, 761), can’t accommodate blockbuster shows which until now might
only be staged at the Lyric or the Capitol, nearly a 60 minute train trip from
Rooty Hill.
With the Sydney Coliseum Theatre now open, a new paradigm arises.
The venue is already attracting upcoming performances scheduled by the Sydney Philharmonia
Choirs, St Petersburg Ballet, The Australian Ballet, Missy Higgins, Bangarra
Dance Theatre and many more.