Broadway and West End shows for Leichhardt

The inner west will be home to productions made famous on the stages of New York and London when Sydney’s newest theatre opens its doors next month.

The inner west will be home to shows made famous on the stages of New York and London when Sydney’s newest theatre opens its doors next month.

Celebrated choreographer and producer Nathan Wright and director Andrew Bevis will launch the 300-seat venue at the iconic Italian Forum in Leichhardt, with leading Australian stars to showcase productions that have graced the West End and Broadway.

News of the curtain going up on a theatre that has previously served as a cultural centre comes as the NSW Government launches a three-year arts strategy for Western Sydney – including $2 million to scope and deliver a major arts festival in 2026.

The Italian Forum in Leichhardt. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Arts Minister John Graham said it was the first arts strategy for the west “since Bob Carr’s in 1999” and is backed by a $5 million action plan across the first 12 months.

A strategic partnerships fund of $2.15 million will support co-funded initiatives with councils, universities and businesses.

First Nations artists from Western Sydney will have access to a $500,000 grant pool while $350,000 will be funnelled into strengthening the Western Sydney Arts Alliance.

Mr Graham cited the rise of Parramatta as a cultural hub with a redevelopment of the Riverside Theatres and “the building of the biggest piece of cultural infrastructure since the Opera House”, the Powerhouse Museum project.

Arts Minister John Graham. Picture: Damian Shaw

“That 75-metre high exoskeleton and 18,000 square metres of exhibition space will make the Powerhouse Parramatta a globally recognised marker of the cultural ambitions of Western Sydney,” he said.

Mr Graham said the focus on the west would correct the previous imbalance where “the geographical concentration of our cultural institutions” was “around the harbour…”

More immediately, the new theatre in Leichhardt, to be known as Teatro, will be a magnet for audiences across Sydney, according to Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne.

Inner West Council Mayor Darcy Byrne. Picture: Damian Shaw

“The Inner West is the national capital of independent arts and culture and Teatro has the potential to help take us to another level,” he said.

“Such a reputable theatre coming to the Forum is an exciting development, especially as we have just made Norton Street a special entertainment precinct.”

Mr Graham added: “It is a well-known fact that Sydney has a shortage of performance spaces. I am always pleased to hear of private investment and entrepreneurs who are looking to solve this problem.”

Wright comes to the precinct with a career CV spanning theatre, film, television and events. He has worked on shows in London, Paris and South Africa and choreographed opening ceremonies for the 2014 Winter Olympics and 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Originally published as Broadway and West End shows for Leichhardt