Christmas, candlelight, and classical music sounds like the recipe for an enchanting night.
When the Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace was announced as one of the secret locations to Fever’s Concert by Candlelight series, our jaws dropped.
The thought of seating in one of the plush red chairs and taking in the candlelit art-deco theatre while pianist Van-Anh Nguyen filled the auditorium with the sounds of our favourite film scores was almost too much to handle. But we handled it, and now we’re eagerly waiting to sonically relive scenes from Gladiator, The Lion King, and The Godfather.
But, as if that wasn’t enough, Fever has just dropped another huge announcement. And this one has got to do with Christmas so we’re all feeling pretty merry.
On Monday, 21 December, Andrew Rumsey will join Van-Anh Nguyen on stage in the Orpheum Theatre to perform a very special classical Christmas edition of Fever’s Concerts by Candlelight series.
Featuring compositions by Chopin, such as Fantasie Impromptu, Nocturne, and Grand Valse Brilliante, as well as Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite for Piano (4-hands), this will be one remarkable evening in Sydney’s grand dame of picture palaces.
First built in 1935 by George Kenworthy, the in-demand theatrical architect of his time, the Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace charmed audiences just as much as the films they went to see. However, like most old buildings it fell into disrepair and was almost made into a shopping arcade.
Thankfully, it has since been restored to its former glory, and now a step inside is like taking a step back in time. In very few other theatres are you immersed in the moment, which is perfect for these candlelight concerts. And with this being a Christmas special, it seems fitting that the theatre’s decor is red, red, red.