Keith Urban to open Sydney Coliseum Theatre
The new centre of arts in western Sydney has marked its opening performances with David Campbell and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
Blacktown
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It’s been more than a decade in the making but this Saturday, Blacktown City’s own “Opera House of the west” will officially open.
Entertainer David Campbell and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra took to the stage of the new Sydney Coliseum Theatre last Thursday night for the $100 million theatre’s inaugural show at West HQ in Rooty Hill.
But the theatre’s grand opening will star Grammy Award-winner Keith Urban with John Butler and Amy Shark.
The 2000-seat theatre hosted a sellout crowd for its opening show on December 12 and is expected to welcome 20,000 people through its doors over the next 10 days.
Described as the “Opera House of the west” by West HQ chief executive Richard Errington, the theatre is expected to attract top Australian and international acts to the heart of western Sydney.
Sydney Coliseum producer Craig McMaster said the theatre was a “much-needed asset” for the region’s arts scene.
“(Western Sydney) is where the growth is happening and where the innovation is happening and we’re happy we’re a lighthouse project that is shining an arts spotlight on this area,” Mr McMasters said.
“We’re showing that the world will come here if we give them the best opportunity to do so.
“Everybody loves entertainment and they love the arts. The west has been so neglected and undercooked for so long.”
Initially envisaged as an arena concept, the Sydney Coliseum gradually developed into an arts house project to fill a hole in the performing arts in western Sydney.
Mr McMasters said the theatre’s opening marked a significant milestone in the transformation of West HQ.
“The Sydney Coliseum is a component part of a greater West HQ story, which is to build a destination and a destination of which we can be proud, that’s not just an RSL club,” he said.
“It has an RSL club component, but we built around that club. We modelled this on the great destinations in Australia and overseas.”
The development has also provided a significant boost to the local economy through the creation of 150 new jobs.
Mr Errington said it was exciting to see some of the country’s best performers and restaurateurs at West HQ.
“What we’re particularly proud of is that by building Sydney’s newest theatre, we’re providing
opportunity for western Sydney residents to work in specialised areas not readily available to them in the past,” he said.
“This includes taking roles as audiovisual experts, riggers and booking agents for some of the world’s leading performers and stage productions.”
The site also boasts eight up-market restaurants, including Asian eatery Chu, a new project by China Doll’s Steve Anastasiou.
The Sydney Coliseum will host Dame Edna on December 17 and 18, John Butler on December 20 and Keith Urban for three shows from December 21 to 23.