The plié, the pirouette, the arabesque —it doesn’t get much more graceful than ballet. Luckily for us, ballet in Sydney is having a real moment right now. In fact, it’s one of the cities leading the charge in ballet innovation, from The Australian Ballet’s original programming to the debut of Ballet of Lights that reimagine classics with glowing costumes. We’ve rounded up the best places to see ballet in Sydney, including the iconic Sydney Opera House and Art Deco State Theatre, plus the shows you can expect to enjoy there.
The Sydney Opera House
Beyond intimate gigs, theatre performances and classical music concerts, the Sydney Opera House reigns as the premier ballet venue in Sydney, hosting the Australian Ballet’s annual seasons inside the Joan Sutherland Theatre. This proscenium-arch venue is fitted with crimson curtains and amber-lit timber panels as well as some of the world’s best acoustics. Some major ballet shows hosted inside the theatre recently include Flora, Romeo and Juliet and The Nutcracker.
Nestled on the University of Sydney’s historic campus is the Seymour Centre’s York Theatre, Australia’s very first university-based performing arts centre. Stars from Cate Blanchett to Nicole Kidman launched their careers inside the acoustically pristine amphitheatre, and now, Ballet of Lights is taking over with luminous twists on classic fairytales. Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and more timeless tales go for a shining spin thanks to the ballerinas’ costumes fitted with fibre-optic lights.
State Theatre
Opened in 1929, the State Theatre is an opulent Art Deco triumph featuring a coffered domed ceiling with gold leaf, hand-painted octagons and an enormous crystal chandelier. This theatre knows a thing or two about ballet in Sydney. Year-round, the 2,034-seat auditorium hosts sell-out Ballet International Gala (BIG) events, showcasing talented dancers from elite companies like the Royal Ballet and Mariinsky.
Capitol Theatre
Aside from its outstanding lineup of theatre shows, Capitol Theatre also provides the backdrop for some fabulous ballet shows in Sydney. It opened in 1928 as Australia’s first “picture palace”, featuring a neo-classical facade and an auditorium with a starry Mediterranean blue ceiling. The Victorian-era hall recently welcomed large-scale ballets like The Australian Ballet’s Swan Lake.
Sydney Lyric Theatre
Following an $18 million renovation in 2017, this gorgeous theatre boasts stunning wood and brass accents, state-of-the-art acoustics and improved sightlines for the best views. Upcoming ballet shows in Sydney’s Lyric Theatre include the Chinese ballet-inspired Shen Yun and The Great Gatsby: A Jazz Ballet Odyssey— F. Scott Fitzgerald’s timeless classic gets reimagined through a fusion of ballet, tap and jazz.