The Seymour Centre in Sydney was founded with one mission in mind: to nurture and promote live music and the performing arts. Just last year, they celebrated their 50th anniversary, and over the decades, they’ve welcomed stars like Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe to their stage. What makes it extra special? It’s Australia’s very first university-based performing arts centre, located at the 175-year-old University of Sydney.
This season, The Seymour Centre’s York Theatre is hosting an exciting lineup of concerts and shows including a series of unique ballet performances that reimagine fairytale classics under a brand-new light.
Background on The Seymour Centre
Retail tycoon Everest Reginald York Seymour sparked it with his 1966 bequest—a performing arts hub on University of Sydney grounds, opening in 1975. Nowadays, the productions take place inside grand spaces like the 780-seat York Theatre and acoustically superb Everest Theatre—two of the best live entertainment venues in Sydney. And not only that, this place has helped launch the careers of some of Australia’s biggest stars—Cate Blanchett, Nicole Kidman, Russell Crowe, Geoffrey Rush and even The Wiggles.
What can you do at The Seymour Centre?
The Seymour Centre stands out as a must-visit cultural hotspot in Sydney thanks to its stellar year-round lineup of theatre, music, dance and more. Throughout the year, major festivals like Sydney Festival, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, Sydney Comedy Festival and Sydney Fringe all have shows taking place here. You can also catch drag shows, BMX sessions, workshops and Q&A sessions with psychologists, activists, comedians and more.
This season, the popular Ballet of Lights series in Sydney is also taking place at The Seymour Centre. It’s a super unique ballet show in that it features ballerinas dressed in costumes lit up by fibre-optic lights. Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty—with an evil witch, magical fairies and a sleepy princess—gets a luminous makeover at this abridged version of the 1889 classic.
Where is The Seymour Centre and how to get there?
The Seymour Centre sits at the corner of City Road and Cleveland Street in Chippendale, adjacent to the University of Sydney campus, south-west of Sydney’s city centre. You can catch a train to Redfern Station (10-minute walk via Ivy Street) or Central Station (20-minute walk via Cleveland Street). Buses stop nearby at City Road near Cleveland Street. Nearest parking is on Shepherd Street’s multi-storey car park.
Address: Cnr City Road &, Cleveland St, Chippendale NSW 2008
FAQs
How early should I get to the venue?
Foyers open one hour before events start; theatre doors open 10-15 minutes prior.
Is the venue wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the venue is wheelchair accessible: there is lift access to all levels, wheelchair seating in all theatres and accessible toilets on ground floor.
Is there a cloakroom?
No, there is no cloakroom.
Nearby Venues in Sydney
Venues close to The Seymour Centre include the small black-box Chippen Street Theatre and Manning Bar on the University of Sydney’s main campus. Venues a little further away include the Brutalist landmark Sydney Masonic Centre and the historic St. Stephen’s Uniting Church—settings that host year-round events and shows including the popular Candlelight concert series.