The Seymour Centre is a multi-purpose

performing arts centre Performing arts center/centre (see spelling differences), often abbreviated as PAC, is used to refer to: * A multi-use performance space that is intended for use by various types of the performing arts, including dance, music and theatre. :The ...

within the

University of Sydney The University of Sydney (USYD), also known as Sydney University, or informally Sydney Uni, is a public research university located in Sydney, Australia. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and is one of the country's ...

in the Australian city of Sydney. It is located on the corner of City Rd and Cleveland St in Chippendale, just south-west of the city centre. The building was designed by architectural firm

Allen Jack+Cottier AJC is an urban design, architecture and interior design practice. Directors Michael Heenan, Brian Mariotti, and John Whittingham head up the Sydney architectural practice of over 80 staff, in their Chippendale studio. John Allen began the fir ...

and was opened in 1975. Internal refurbishments were carried out in 2000, designed by Lahz Nimmo Architects. As well as the public performance areas, the building provides accommodation for the Department of Music at the University of Sydney.

History

Sydney businessman, Everest York Seymour, died in 1966 and left a significant bequest for ‘...the construction of a building to serve as a centre for the cultivation, education and performance of musical and dramatic arts...'. The University of Sydney became the trustee of this bequest, and Allen Jack+Cottier were commissioned to design a performing arts centre to be known as The Seymour Centre.

Performance venues and facilities

The York Theatre

The York is the largest theatre in the centre, with seating for 780 patrons . It has a

Thrust stage In theatre, a thrust stage (also known as a platform stage or open stage) is one that extends into the audience on three sides and is connected to the backstage area by its upstage end. A thrust has the benefit of greater intimacy between perform ...

configuration, with seats in a semi-circular, amphitheatre-style arrangement and is used for drama and musical performances, and spoken-word events.

The Everest Theatre

The Everest theatre is an end-stage theatre, seating up to 605, depending on configuration. It was designed for musical performances and includes a variety of acoustic features to manipulate and control sound quality, but is also used for theatrical and dance performances.

The Reginald Theatre

The Reginald Theatre, previously known as the Downstairs Theatre is a smaller, informal

Studio theatre A black box theater is a simple performance space, typically a square room with black walls and a flat floor. The simplicity of the space allows it to be used to create a variety of configurations of stage and audience interaction. The black ...

, seating up to 200, with a wide variety of uses.

The Sound Lounge

An intimate

cabaret Cabaret is a form of theatrical entertainment featuring music, song, dance, recitation, or drama. The performance venue might be a pub, a casino, a hotel, a restaurant, or a nightclub with a stage for performances. The audience, often dining o ...

style venue for up to 120, which serves light meals and refreshments.

Restaurants and Bars

Refreshments are available on each level, including a coffee cart in the main

foyer A lobby is a room in a building used for entry from the outside. Sometimes referred to as a foyer, reception area or an entrance hall, it is often a large room or complex of rooms (in a theatre, opera house, concert hall, showroom, cinema, etc. ...

. A BBQ also operates in the front

courtyard A courtyard or court is a circumscribed area, often surrounded by a building or complex, that is open to the sky. Courtyards are common elements in both Western and Eastern building patterns and have been used by both ancient and contemporary ...

opposite the main entrance, from one and a half hours prior to selected shows.

Program

Each year the Centre presents a wide range of performing arts productions and events; plays host to a number of festivals; provides an education program; presents children's theatre and produces dance, theatre and music productions. The Seymour enjoys a high public profile within Sydney, with a good central city location and parking facilities. Festivals which program events at the Seymour centre include the Sydney Festival, the

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras or Sydney Mardi Gras is an event in Sydney, New South Wales attended by hundreds of thousands of people from around Australia and overseas. One of the largest such festivals in the world, Mardi Gras is the ...

, the Sydney Children's Festival, the

Sydney Fringe Festival The Sydney Fringe is an alternative arts and culture festival held for the first time in September 2010 in the inner west of Sydney, Australia. The Fringe is an initiative of the Newtown Entertainment Precinct Association.

and the Sydney Comedy Festival. The program is an eclectic mix of self-produced work, co-productions and hires of the venue, and includes theatre, gigs, dance pieces and showcases. The University of Sydney student revues are held at the Seymour each year, as well as many end-of-year dance school concerts. The centre hosts family and kids' shows each school holiday, and has recently commenced a comprehensive primary and secondary education program, featuring workshops and Q&As to augment the students' experience of the theatre.

The Wiggles The Wiggles are an Australian children's music group formed in Sydney in 1991. The group are currently composed of Anthony Field, Lachlan Gillespie, Simon Pryce and Tsehay Hawkins, as well as supporting members Evie Ferris, John Pearce, ...

performed in this centre during their December 1996 concerts shown on their first concert video: " Wiggledance!".

References

External links

Seymour Centre Official Website

Allen Jack+Cottier Official Website

Lahz Nimno Architects Official Website

Sydney Festival 2011
{{coord, -33.8886, 151.1935, type:landmark_region:AU, display=title University of Sydney buildings Music venues in Sydney Theatres in Sydney Chippendale, New South Wales 1975 establishments in Australia Theatres completed in 1975