Location | Burton Street Tabernacle 39 Burton Street, Darlinghurst, Sydney, New South Wales |
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Coordinates | 33°52′43″S 151°12′58″E / 33.878659°S 151.216067°E |
Darlinghurst Theatre was an independent theatre company from 1993 - 2024, based at the Eternity Playhouse in Darlinghurst, New South Wales.[1]
Glenn Terry established the company in 1993 initially as an inner-city drama school. Darlinghurst Theatre productions were originally based at the Wayside Theatre in the heart of Kings Cross. A devastating hail storm in 1999 destroyed its roof and the company was sent in search of new home. South Sydney Council assisted by providing a venue with affordable rent in what was known as the Reginald Murphy Hall on Greenknowe Ave in Elizabeth Bay.
In 2001, with financial support from the New South Wales Ministry of the Arts, The Grosvenor Club and numerous individuals, A$500,000 worth of internal renovations was largely completed by Glenn Terry and friends, many of whom were jobbing actors, writers and directors.[when?] At the time of the renovations, Sydney's Her Majesty's Theatre was closed and some of that theatre's equipment found a new home at the new Darlinghurst Theatre, including 80 red leather seats, dressing room mirrors, lighting and bar equipment.
The Darlinghust Theatre successfully operated in Elizabeth Bay from 2001 till 2013, when it expanded by moving to the newly refurbished 200 seat Eternity Playhouse on Burton St, in the heart of Darlinghurt, with the assistance of the City of Sydney and Arts NSW in November 2013. Glenn Terry remained Artistic Director, bringing a dedicated team over with him to The Eternity. The old Darlinghurst Theatre venue was renamed the Hayes Theatre in 2014, and currently specialises in independent caberet and music theatre.
From 2016–2018, the theatre partnered with Women in Theatre and Screen (WITS) to present an annual all-female theatre festival called Festival Fatale.[2] It launched in 2016 as part of WITS' larger work advocating for gender representation on stage and includes readings and staged plays.[3][4][5]
Glenn Terry retired as Executive Director in 2022 after leading the DTC for 30years. His long-term co-artistic director of 6years, Amylia Harris took over the reins, having proven herself to be a strongly ethical and creative leader, as the company navigated through the covid pandemic and funding shifts. She stepped away in 2023 for family reasons.
In June 2024, Darlinghurst Theatre was placed into voluntary administration.[6]
This ẁas the inaugural production in the new theatre space on Greenknowe Ave.
All My Sons was the inaugural production for the Eternity Playhouse.