WELCOME TO RIVERSIDE THEATRES
The best shows in the best theatre in the heart of Sydney!
The staff of Riverside Theatres are passionate about bringing the very best the performing arts can offer to audiences in all pockets of the greater Sydney area. Parramatta is the geographic and demographic heart of Sydney and is easily accessed by road, train and ferry.
Located on the banks of the Parramatta River, Riverside Theatres is nestled in the midst of the Church Street Restaurant precinct. Pre-show dining and parking is ample, accessible and affordable.
A Bicentennial Project, Riverside Theatres opened in 1988 offering three venues under the one roof. The Rafferty’s Theatre, the most intimate space seats around 100 people and suits small corporate events, seminars, stand up comedy acts, small scale productions, or even an exhibition. The Lennox Theatre is a flexible space seating approximately 220 people. The largest theatre, the Riverside Theatre, can house up to 761 patrons with comfortable, plush seating in a conventional proscenium arch stage with orchestra pit and fly tower. Larger scale productions including international acts are often seen on the Riverside stage including Shakespeare, comedy, drama, ballet, contemporary dance and musicals.
Over 700 performances and events take place every year at Riverside Theatres. Here are details about some of them...
PERFORMANCE SEASON
Riverside’s annual subscription season of professional theatre and dance brings Australia’s leading performance arts companies to Parramatta including Pacific Opera, Sydney Theatre Company, HIT Productions, Australian Theatre for Young People, The Australian Ballet, Critical Stages, WA Ballet, Monkey Baa and many more!BIG NOTES SERIES
The new expanded annual music concert series Big Notes, which incorporates the Crescendo youth and community music series, embraces some of the best classical, jazz, world music and cabaret artists currently performing in Australia. This diverse program is sure to have something for everyone and subscriptions are available.PERFORMANCE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE,
SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES
Each year Riverside Theatres presents several live performance productions for schools, young people and the young at heart. Riverside aims to present the best theatre, dance and music performances from companies across the nation for educational live entertainment. Also the Australian Theatre for Young People (ATYP) runs a holiday workshop program each school holidays.WESTERN SYDNEY DANCE ACTION
Riverside hosts Western Sydney Dance Action (WSDA). A leading dance development organisation WSDA aims to develop and nurture dance in Western Sydney and beyond. It encourages opportunities for artists, individuals and communities to enhance participation, presentation and production of dance in its many forms. WSDA produces Dance Bites, an annual season of contemporary dance works by independent artists for the Lennox Theatre. For further information or join WSDA contact Kathy Baykitch on 8839 3354 or email danceaction_riverside@parracity.nsw.gov.auCOMMUNITY
Riverside remains a vibrant hub of Western Sydney with a myriad of community events all year round. It is home to community arts organisations such as Riverside Lyric Ensemble who present a yearly season of well known plays and musicals. The Cumberland Gang Show presents their annual showcase of talent with the local Scout groups. Other community performances include cultural groups, dance academies and local schools presenting their annual showcases.THEATRE APPRECIATION COURSES
Renowned theatre personality Charlie Little runs fortnightly theatre appreciation seminars on a variety of topics and shows. Special guests are sometimes invited to speak about their careers in the theatre, film and performing arts. Contact 8839 3398 for more details.WORKSHOPS IN THE ARTS
FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABLITIES
These workshops run year round focusing on dance, movement and drama. Workshops are designed specifically for the individual needs and disability. Contact the Workshop Coordinator Camilla Rountree for more details on 8839 3388. Riverside Theatres is also a venue for hire and caters for the corporate sector, community arts organisations, community cultural groups, and schools. Please see the Venue Hire page on our website for details.
See you at the theatre!
Robert Love
Director, Riverside Theatres
If you have any comments or suggestions for the theatre, please phone us on (02) 8839 3398 or email admin_riverside@parracity.nsw.gov.au
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