The Superb Sydney Coliseum Theatre Opens in Western Sydney

"Christmas at the Coliseum Concert"

The brand new Sydney Coliseum Theatre has now officially opened with an exciting line up of shows in its first few weeks of operation. The biggest stars have come out to perform on Sydneys newest stage in the new 2,000 seat multi-mode theatre.

I was privileged to be part of the capacity audience on Opening Night to hear David Campbell and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. This was a special "Christmas at the Coliseum Concert" with lots of well known, and some lesser-known, Christmas carols and songs.

The sound reproduction on the huge speakers above the stage made the Christmas songs and music very easy to listen to. The sound quality o the 65 speaker system was excellent on the quieter ballad style songs and the heavier rock style songs.

The lighting on the stage, walls and ceiling of the theatre went all out to make the theatre look very Christmasy.

"Christmas at the Coliseum Concert"

Other shows at the Sydney Coliseum leading up to Christmas include the amazing country singer, songwriter and musician Kieth Urban in Concert, ARIA-award winning Tina Arena in Concert, world-famous Dame Edna Everage in My Gorgeous Life, acclaimed John Butler in Concert, the Wolfgang's Magical Musical Circus and the Australia Ballet's production of Storytime Ballet.

The Grand Opening Concert held on Saturday 21 December featured the star-studded line-up of Kieth Urban, Amy Shark and John Butler.

The vision for a new lyric style theatre in Western Sydney was conceived in 2012. The dream of a few people has now become a glorious reality with the opening of the world-class Sydney Coliseum Theatre.

The Sydney Coliseum Theatre is part of the West HQ complex located in Western Sydney. West HQ is the new name for the Rooty Hill RSL Cub that was first established back in 1964. Today West HQ spans 8 hectares and attracts 4 million visitors each year who come for the entertainment, fitness, lifestyle and accommodation services provided.

The Sydney Coliseum Theatre is the new home for culture, arts and entertainment for people in Western Sydney. They will no longer have to travel to the Sydney CBD to see world-class singers, dancers, and performers. I hope that some of the large scale musicals will have season runs at the theatre.

The design of the Sydney Coliseum Theatre is beautiful inside and out. The outside features flowing curved walls that resemble flowing theatre curtains. The tops of the walls, featuring vertical slot windows, are also curved.

"Field of Stars" Chandelier

Entry to the Sydney Coliseum Theatre is not from street level as one would expect. Patrons have to first enter West HQ, take the escalator up to the first floor, then walk across the Crystal Bridge that joins the West HQ to the Theatre foyer above the street below. The walls of the linking bridge are glass from floor to ceiling,  and the floor has a rather amazing LED digital screen that is walked on as it displays ist colourful lights patterns and messages.

The Grand Staircase connects the three foyer levels and is curved along the exterior walls of the foyers. There is also a lift as an alternative to the stairs.

A highlight of the foyers is the large "Field of Stars" Chandelier that is suspended from the ceiling of the atrium and can be seen from all of the three foyer levels. This is not a traditional chandelier, but a modern one consisting of thousands of crystals suspended over 240 individual strands that give the appearance of a star-filled sky.

The foyers are light and airy, with a light coloured palette of walls and floors, whereas the theatre has a darker palette, featuring blackbutt timber panelling on the walls, so that the eyes are focussed on the stage.

The seats in the theatre are very comfy to sit on, and all have a good view of the stage. The seats have premium black fabric, special foam inserts, timber hand rests and brass detailing. A unique feature of them is that the 1.000 seats in the stalls section can be folded down and retracted to hide them away,  This enables the theatre to be turned into a multi-function flat-floored venue that can stage major corporate events a well as world-class artistic performances.

There are plenty of dining options at the new West HQ Eat Street dining precinct. A simple snack or a full meal can be enjoyed before or after a show at Chu China Doll Restaurant, Pizzaperta by Manfredi, New Town Thai Street Food, Gelatissimo, Eat Street Bar, Corner Cafe, Steak & Co. by Sean Connolly and Chur Burger.
Access to the Sydney Coliseum Theatre is best by car, as there are 2,000 free car parking spaces available. Unfortunately, it is not right next to the Rooty Hill Train Station. It would be good if they introduced a courtesy bus to take patrons to the station after a show to save walking in the dark.

The Sydney Coliseum Theatre is a landmark new building in Western Sydney. Make sure you put it on your list of things to do in the near future and enjoy a show in this amazing new theatre.

Sydney Coliseum Theatre

West HQ

Address: 55 Sherbrooke St, Rooty Hill NSW 2766
Phone: (02) 9851 5912
Website: https://sydneycoliseum.com.au/