The Seymour Centre
Encyclopedia
The Seymour Centre is a multi-purpose performing arts centre
within the University of Sydney
, NSW in the Australian city of Sydney
. It is located on the corner of City Rd and Cleveland St in Chippendale
, an inner-circle suburb, just south-west of the city centre.
The building was designed by architectural firm Allen Jack+Cottier
and was opened in 1975. Internal refurbishments were carried out in 2000, designed by Lahz Nimmo Architects.
As well as the public performance areas, the building provides accommodation for the Department of Music at the University of Sydney.
configuration, with seats in a semi-circular, amphitheatre-style arrangement and is used for drama and musical performances, and spoken-word events.
, seating up to 605, depending on configuration. It was designed for musical performances and includes a variety of acoustic features to manipulate and control sound quality, but is also used for theatrical and dance performances.
, seating up to 200, with a wide variety of uses.
style venue for up to 120, which serves light meals and refreshments.
. A BBQ also operates in the front courtyard
opposite the main entrance, from one and a half hours prior to selected shows.
Festivals which program events at the Seymour centre include the Sydney Festival
, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
, the Sydney Children's Festival, the Sydney Fringe Festival and the Sydney Comedy Festival.
The program is an eclectic mix of self-produced work, co-productions and hires of the venue, and includes theatre, gigs, dance pieces and showcases. The University of Sydney student revues are held at the Seymour each year, as well as many end-of-year dance school concerts. The centre hosts family and kids' shows each school holiday, and has recently commenced a comprehensive primary and secondary education program, featuring workshops and Q&As to augment the students' experience of the theatre.
The Wiggles
performed in this Centre on December 1996 shown on their concert video "Wiggledance".
Performing arts center
Performing arts center, often abbreviated PAC, is used to refer to* A multi-use performance space that is intended for use by various types of the performing arts, including dance, music and theatre....
within the University of Sydney
University of Sydney
The University of Sydney is a public university located in Sydney, New South Wales. The main campus spreads across the suburbs of Camperdown and Darlington on the southwestern outskirts of the Sydney CBD. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and Oceania...
, NSW in the Australian city of Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
. It is located on the corner of City Rd and Cleveland St in Chippendale
Chippendale
Chippendale may refer to:*Thomas Chippendale, or his furniture*Thomas Chippendale, the younger, son of Thomas Chippendale*Chairface Chippendale, a supervillain*Chippendales, a chain of clubs and troupe of performers*Chippendale, New South Wales...
, an inner-circle suburb, just south-west of the city centre.
The building was designed by architectural firm Allen Jack+Cottier
Allen Jack+Cottier
Allen Jack + Cottier is an architectural firm based in Sydney, Australia.John Allen began the firm in 1952 and in 1956 formed a partnership with his university friend Russell Jack...
and was opened in 1975. Internal refurbishments were carried out in 2000, designed by Lahz Nimmo Architects.
As well as the public performance areas, the building provides accommodation for the Department of Music at the University of Sydney.
History
Sydney businessman, Everest York Seymour, died in 1966 and left a significant bequest for ‘...the construction of a building to serve as a centre for the cultivation, education and performance of musical and dramatic arts…'. The University of Sydney became the trustee of this bequest, and Allen Jack+Cottier were commissioned to design a performing arts centre to be known as The Seymour Centre.The York Theatre
The York is the largest theatre in the centre, with seating for 780 patrons . It has a Thrust stageThrust stage
In theatre, a thrust stage is one that extends into the audience on three sides and is connected to the backstage area by its up stage end. A thrust has the benefit of greater intimacy between performers and the audience than a proscenium, while retaining the utility of a backstage area...
configuration, with seats in a semi-circular, amphitheatre-style arrangement and is used for drama and musical performances, and spoken-word events.
The Everest Theatre
The Everest theatre is an end-stage theatreProscenium
A proscenium theatre is a theatre space whose primary feature is a large frame or arch , which is located at or near the front of the stage...
, seating up to 605, depending on configuration. It was designed for musical performances and includes a variety of acoustic features to manipulate and control sound quality, but is also used for theatrical and dance performances.
The Downstairs Theatre
The Downstairs theatre is a small, informal Studio theatreStudio Theatre
A studio theatre is a 20th-century term that describes a small theatre space. Studio theatres often have a flexible auditorium whose stage and seating may be re-arranged to suit the specific requirements of a production...
, seating up to 200, with a wide variety of uses.
The Sound Lounge
An intimate cabaretCabaret
Cabaret is a form, or place, of entertainment featuring comedy, song, dance, and theatre, distinguished mainly by the performance venue: a restaurant or nightclub with a stage for performances and the audience sitting at tables watching the performance, as introduced by a master of ceremonies or...
style venue for up to 120, which serves light meals and refreshments.
Restaurants and Bars
Refreshments are available on each level, including a coffee cart in the main foyerFoyer
A foyer or lobby is a large, vast room or complex of rooms adjacent to the auditorium...
. A BBQ also operates in the front courtyard
Courtyard
A court or courtyard is an enclosed area, often a space enclosed by a building that is open to the sky. These areas in inns and public buildings were often the primary meeting places for some purposes, leading to the other meanings of court....
opposite the main entrance, from one and a half hours prior to selected shows.
Program
Each year the Centre presents a wide range of performing arts productions and events; plays host to a number of festivals; provides an education program; presents children’s theatre and produces dance, theatre and music productions. The Seymour enjoys a high public profile within Sydney, with a good central city location and parking facilities.Festivals which program events at the Seymour centre include the Sydney Festival
Sydney Festival
Sydney Festival is Australia's largest and most attended annual cultural event running every January since it was first held in 1977. Its program features around 80 events including contemporary and classical music, dance, circus, drama, visual arts and artist talks...
, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
The Sydney Mardi Gras is an annual LGBTQI pride parade and festival in Sydney, Australia, and draws in thousands of visitors from around Australia and overseas...
, the Sydney Children's Festival, the Sydney Fringe Festival and the Sydney Comedy Festival.
The program is an eclectic mix of self-produced work, co-productions and hires of the venue, and includes theatre, gigs, dance pieces and showcases. The University of Sydney student revues are held at the Seymour each year, as well as many end-of-year dance school concerts. The centre hosts family and kids' shows each school holiday, and has recently commenced a comprehensive primary and secondary education program, featuring workshops and Q&As to augment the students' experience of the theatre.
The Wiggles
The Wiggles
The Wiggles are a children's group formed in Sydney, Australia in 1991. Their original members were Anthony Field, Phillip Wilcher, Murray Cook, Greg Page, and Jeff Fatt. Wilcher left the group after their first album...
performed in this Centre on December 1996 shown on their concert video "Wiggledance".