Roslyn Packer Theatre

The Roslyn Packer Theatre is one of two venues owned by the Sydney Theatre Company (STC). It is located in Walsh Bay, across the road from The Wharf Theatre. It was established as the Sydney Theatre in January 2004, and renamed as the Roslyn Packer Theatre in March 2015 in honour of Sydney-based philanthropist Roslyn Packer.

## History

The Roslyn Packer Theatre is located in an historic industrial area of Sydney, across the road from a row of large industrial wharfs. It sits on the site of two old Bond stores from the 1950s. The front part of the theatre (the auditorium and foyer) are where Bond Store 4 once stood. Bond Store 4 was the demolished in 2000 so that construction of the theatre could commence.

The back of the theatre occupies the lower floors of Parbury No. 3 Bond Store, a 19th-century brick and stone Queen Anne-style building. This latter warehouse was constructed in the 1890s for the wool trade.

In 1994, the NSW State Government had plans to develop the Walsh Bay region of Sydney. It was decided that it would be used as a cultural space, given the already-existing Wharf Theatre. Andrew Andersons of PTW Architects drew up the plans for the theatre. He had already designed the Riverside Theatres at Parramatta, the City Recital Hall in Angel Place and undertaken the refurbishment of the Capitol Theatre. According to the Roslyn Packer Theatre website,

> Andersons designed a 1000-seat theatre with two circles and a gently raked stalls. However, subsequent discussions with [Artistic Director Wayne] Harrison's successor Robyn Nevin and her General Manager Rob Brookman led to more steeply raked stalls for better sightlines, which meant losing the top balcony.
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The site was excavated in October 2001 and the foundations laid in January 2002. It was considered vital to retain the maritime history of the building, which can be seen today in the bare brick walls and salvaged timber throughout the theatre. The theatre was opened on 10 January 2004 as the Sydney Theatre, to reflect its proposed central role in Sydney's cultural life.

The theatre's name was changed to the Roslyn Packer Theatre in March 2015 in honour of Sydney-based philanthropist Roslyn Packer.

## Layout and Venues

### Roslyn Packer Theatre

This is principal performance space of the Roslyn Packer Theatre structure in Walsh bay. It is a 896-seat proscenium arch theatre with seating arranged over two levels. Most productions are held in this space.

### Richard Wherrett Studio

This is a rehearsal studio located on the ground floor of the theatre. It is mostly used as for rehearsals and warming up, but it is also occasionally used for small performances. It has a maximum seating capacity of 110. It is named after the first artistic director of the STC.

### Ruth Cracknell Room

The Ruth Cracknell Room is a dedicated function space located on Level 1 of the building. It is named after Australian actor and STC patron, Ruth Cracknell.

## Productions

The Roslyn Packer Theatre predominantly hosts productions staged by the Sydney Theatre Company, but it also hosts musicals, opera and plays from other Australian and international theatre companies.

## References

1. ↑ "Sydney Theatre to be renamed," *Roslyn Packer Theatre Walsh Bay, 22 October 2*014. Retrieved 10 August 2017.
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "About: History," *Roslyn Packer Theatre Walsh Bay*. Retrieved 10 August 2017.