Sydney Opera House

The Merry Widow, Joan Sutherland Theatre
Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney
Joan Sutherland Theatre
Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Fly Floor

Sydney Opera House

The iconic Sydney Opera House, which opened in 1973, is home to Opera Australia and The Australian Ballet, as well as a range of visiting companies staging productions across five venues.

Joan Sutherland Theatre, SydneyJoan Sutherland Theatre

Theatreplan reviewed the Joan Sutherland Theatre’s stage systems in 2010, resulting in the first major upgrade in theatre machinery since the Opera House opened. Theatreplan developed schemes for upgrading all the over-stage and under-stage machinery, for the JST, (formerly the Opera Theatre), including two mission-critical scenery transport elevators and a full upgrade of the flying system.

Additionally, we specified the new lighting and audio-visual infrastructure, including designing a new follow-spot room in a bold new location, allowing for better coverage and significantly improved operator ergonomics. Furthermore, the new portal lighting bridge can be lowered to stage level and a new, permanent bridge enables downstage crossover and can be accessed by a new downstage stair to the grid. The works have given greater flexibility, decreased changeover times, significantly lessened the need for manual handling and increased safety. The project was completed to budget, during a six month closure period.

Theatreplan is now engaged again at Sydney Opera House, consulting on the major technical upgrade of the magnificent Concert Hall.

Photographs by Daniel Boud

Services Provided
Feasibility Study
Theatre Planning
Stage Machinery
Lighting
Communications
Audio Visual

Build Type
Upgrade

Seating Capacity
1500