Guidebook for San Francisco
Arts & Culture
Onstage nearly year-round, this Surry Hills theatre produces some of the most interesting and thought-provoking plays in the city, from Shakespeare to Tennessee Williams to a dystopian dramedy that references the Simpsons. Australian actor and Oscar-winner Geoffrey Rush is a strong supporter, as are Sydney’s acting fraternity.
Look out for productions in the Downstairs Theatre, where the company puts on its smaller-scale and sometimes more experimental plays. It sits only 80 people, so it’s very intimate and the tickets are cheaper.
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Belvoir Street Theatre
25 Belvoir StOnstage nearly year-round, this Surry Hills theatre produces some of the most interesting and thought-provoking plays in the city, from Shakespeare to Tennessee Williams to a dystopian dramedy that references the Simpsons. Australian actor and Oscar-winner Geoffrey Rush is a strong supporter, as are Sydney’s acting fraternity.
Look out for productions in the Downstairs Theatre, where the company puts on its smaller-scale and sometimes more experimental plays. It sits only 80 people, so it’s very intimate and the tickets are cheaper.
Location, location, location. You don’t have to see a production to enjoy this visually spectacular building, though if you do, their repertoire is immensely eclectic. There’s opera, plays, talks, contemporary music, dance, circus, and everything in between. One month could see La Bohème, classical Russian piano, and the Fleet Foxes.
Do a backstage tour—they offer them in half a dozen languages—of the amazing building where the architecture is a production in itself. You will get extensive behind-the-scenes access and have breakfast in the Green Room.
1998 personas locales recomiendan
Sydney Opera House
Location, location, location. You don’t have to see a production to enjoy this visually spectacular building, though if you do, their repertoire is immensely eclectic. There’s opera, plays, talks, contemporary music, dance, circus, and everything in between. One month could see La Bohème, classical Russian piano, and the Fleet Foxes.
Do a backstage tour—they offer them in half a dozen languages—of the amazing building where the architecture is a production in itself. You will get extensive behind-the-scenes access and have breakfast in the Green Room.
This orchestra performs music from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries—pieces by Bach, Vivaldi, Mozart and lesser-known musicians like Corrette and Merula. They stage many concerts throughout the year at the City Recital Hall, where the acoustics are world-class. I worked with the company to design the orchestra’s wardrobe.
Enjoy Artistic Director Paul Dyer’s conducting—he is a true showman—and afterwards pop around the corner to the Parisian-style brasserie Felix for a French feast. Go classic and order the steak frites.
Australian Brandenburg Orchestra
247 Coward StThis orchestra performs music from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries—pieces by Bach, Vivaldi, Mozart and lesser-known musicians like Corrette and Merula. They stage many concerts throughout the year at the City Recital Hall, where the acoustics are world-class. I worked with the company to design the orchestra’s wardrobe.
Enjoy Artistic Director Paul Dyer’s conducting—he is a true showman—and afterwards pop around the corner to the Parisian-style brasserie Felix for a French feast. Go classic and order the steak frites.
This iconic building first opened as an art museum in 1991, showcasing modern work from Australian and international artists both established and emerging. Like the work it shows—from contemporary paintings by indigenous Australians to the diverse collection comprising each Sydney Biennale—the museum’s recent extension beautifully melds old and new.
After perusing the art, walk to the Sydney Park Hyatt for a champagne in the Living Room—they have one of the best views of the Sydney Opera House.
829 personas locales recomiendan
Museum of Contemporary Art
140 George StThis iconic building first opened as an art museum in 1991, showcasing modern work from Australian and international artists both established and emerging. Like the work it shows—from contemporary paintings by indigenous Australians to the diverse collection comprising each Sydney Biennale—the museum’s recent extension beautifully melds old and new.
After perusing the art, walk to the Sydney Park Hyatt for a champagne in the Living Room—they have one of the best views of the Sydney Opera House.
Right in the heart of the Domain, they’re open every day and host a busy calendar of shows all year, from their definitive Australian landscape collection to European masters to the flagship exhibition of the country’s Archibald portrait prize. There are beautiful views over Woolloomooloo from numerous spots in the building.
General admission to the galleries is free, as are most events. For example, on Wednesdays, the gallery stays open to 10 pm and hosts free lectures, celebrity talks, and films.
891 personas locales recomiendan
Galería de Arte de Nueva Gales del Sur
Art Gallery RoadRight in the heart of the Domain, they’re open every day and host a busy calendar of shows all year, from their definitive Australian landscape collection to European masters to the flagship exhibition of the country’s Archibald portrait prize. There are beautiful views over Woolloomooloo from numerous spots in the building.
General admission to the galleries is free, as are most events. For example, on Wednesdays, the gallery stays open to 10 pm and hosts free lectures, celebrity talks, and films.
This company presents interpretations of classic repertoire and the best of new international playwriting on several stages across town. Cate Blanchett and Andrew Upton were artistic directors for five years, and we witnessed a new energy under their guidance which has continued on today.
They are based at Pier 4/5, a historic wharf in Walsh Bay, so when you see a play there you can enjoy a drink—my choice is always champagne—before the show at the aptly named Theatre Bar at the End of the Wharf. It offers Instagram-worthy photos of Sydney Harbour and the bridge.
82 personas locales recomiendan
Sydney Theatre Company
15 Hickson RdThis company presents interpretations of classic repertoire and the best of new international playwriting on several stages across town. Cate Blanchett and Andrew Upton were artistic directors for five years, and we witnessed a new energy under their guidance which has continued on today.
They are based at Pier 4/5, a historic wharf in Walsh Bay, so when you see a play there you can enjoy a drink—my choice is always champagne—before the show at the aptly named Theatre Bar at the End of the Wharf. It offers Instagram-worthy photos of Sydney Harbour and the bridge.