Alan Joyce quits as Sydney Theatre Company chairman after Israel-Gaza scandal

Former Qantas boss Alan Joyce has quit as chair of Sydney Theatre Company a month after the performance company was engulfed by controversy following an onstage pro-Palestinian protest by three actors.

Joyce was on leave overseas and made no public comment as the theatre company struggled to contain a growing consumer and donor boycott believed to have cost it more than $1 million in philanthropic support, cancelled tickets and sponsorship.

Former Qantas boss Alan Joyce.Credit: Eamon Gallagher

He will be replaced by Point Piper philanthropist Ann Johnson, who had stood in for Joyce since the Irish-born businessman first took leave from the board in October.

In a statement, Joyce said he had intended to return to his leadership role at the STC by the end of January but “current challenges” facing the company required significant time in the role.

“I do not believe that I will be able to devote considerable time necessary in the next couple of months,” Joyce said in a statement announcing his resignation from the board.

“Although I will reluctantly be stepping aside, I will continue to be passionate about the amazing work STC produces, and I wish the company all the best for the future.”

Sydney Theatre Company cast members of The Seagull take a curtain call wearing keffiyehs.Credit: Andrew Burke

Joyce was appointed as chair in March 2023 but since departing Qantas, the airline he led for 15 years, Joyce has rarely been seen in Australian public life and failed to appear at a Senate inquiry into Qatar Airlines.

In November, three cast members of STC’s production The Seagull took their bows wearing traditional keffiyeh scarves signifying solidarity with the Palestinians caught up in the Israeli war on Hamas in Gaza.

In the ensuing furore, leading Jewish figures from within the arts community lined up to condemn the actors, and three members of the STC’s fundraising arm quit in protest.

More than 1000 patrons signed a petition calling on the STC to prevent any similar protests in future and to consider sacking the three actors.

The company is expected to report a deficit in 2023 as COVID support money comes to an end and amid rising costs. The loss of donations, ticket sales and sponsorship withdrawn in the protest’s aftermath would likely impact the 2024 budget.

In 2022, the company posted a modest operating surplus of $44,055 – its first surplus in five years – having weathered stage shutdowns caused by the pandemic and disruptions necessitated by renovations to its Walsh Bay home.

Its financial bottom line had been bolstered by box office hits such as RBG: Of Many, One and an encore season of The Picture of Dorian Gray.

Johnson said her predecessor had understood the “significant challenges” a not-for-profit such as STC faced in times of rising costs and uncertain revenues.

“Arts boards around Australia are working harder than ever to ensure the long-term viability of their organisations and the next few years will be difficult for the performing arts sector,” she said.

Joyce and his husband Shane Lloyd were named in the 2022 annual report as among the STC’s so-called “angels”, or top-tier donors, who had given “unwavering commitment” to STC’s plays and productions.

Joyce submitted his resignation from all board duties on January 5.

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