Empty feeling as Boys leave theatrical home

WHEN the final curtain falls on blockbuster musical Jersey Boys next Sunday, the Theatre Royal may be dark for many months, with no significant new shows booked after the sudden cancellation of the jukebox musical Rock of Ages.

By InvestSMART · 11 Dec 2011

By InvestSMART ·
11 Dec 2011

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The 1100-seat theatre has enjoyed a packed 15-month run of Jersey Boys, the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, but it is scrambling to book shows for 2012.

Rodney Rigby, the producer of Jersey Boys, pulled Rock of Ages, which was expected to run four to six months in the theatre, after disappointing presales in an overcrowded January entertainment market. Its opening clashed with those of Annie at the Lyric Theatre and Andrew Lloyd Webber's Love Never Dies at the Capitol Theatre, Haymarket.

Speculation has been rife that the theatre may close temporarily or permanently because of a need to renovate the 34-year-old MLC Centre in which it is housed. In August, co-owner of the MLC Centre, GPT Group, announced it would sell its 50 per cent stake in the $750 million building. Queensland Investment Corporation is believed to be poised to sell its share too. But a spokeswoman for the GPT Group has confirmed the renovation would not impact on the theatre at all, as the work will be confined to the ageing exterior of the tower. Work isn't expected to begin before mid-2012. The lower levels will be developed when the theatre is scheduled to be empty to avoid any potential noise problems.

"We are not being closed or going dark," Patricia Charan, manager of the Theatre Royal, said. "It's tough to find shows at late notice as most shows book at least a year out but we're getting there."

The only confirmed booking for 2012 is Scooby-Doo Live! Musical Mysteries, which will play for just three days in April.

This comes amid a crisis of theatre space in the city, major producers calling for a 1500-seat theatre to avoid losing theatre premieres to Melbourne or Brisbane.

"The Theatre Royal is incredibly important to the infrastructure of Sydney," said Rigby, whose next musical, The Addams Family, will play at the Capitol in 2013.

John Frost's world premiere of An Officer and a Gentleman - The Musical will open in the Lyric Theatre in May 2012 and Legally Blonde will open there in October 2012. Strictly Ballroom - The Musical will play at the Lyric Theatre in September 2013.

"Of course we desperately need that 1500-seat playhouse," Rigby said. "We took [the Theatre Royal] out of commission for the best part of 18 months with Jersey Boys. Now someone else needs to come and use it."

Jersey Boys is one of the longest-running musicals since Cats or Phantom of the Opera and has injected millions of tourist dollars into the NSW economy, Rigby said.

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Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…

What will happen to the Theatre Royal in Sydney when Jersey Boys finishes its run?

When Jersey Boys closes next Sunday the Theatre Royal is expected to be dark for many months while managers scramble to book new shows for 2012. The 1,100-seat theatre had a packed 15-month run of Jersey Boys, but there are currently no significant long-term productions confirmed after its closure.

Why was the musical Rock of Ages cancelled at the Theatre Royal?

Producer Rodney Rigby pulled Rock of Ages after disappointing presales. The show struggled in an overcrowded January entertainment market and its opening clashed with other major musicals such as Annie at the Lyric and Love Never Dies at the Capitol Theatre.

Will planned renovations to the MLC Centre impact Theatre Royal performances or bookings?

According to a spokeswoman for the GPT Group, the planned renovation work on the 34-year-old MLC Centre will be confined to the ageing exterior of the tower and will not impact the Theatre Royal. Work isn’t expected to begin before mid‑2012, and any lower-level development is planned for times when the theatre is empty to avoid noise problems.

Who owns the MLC Centre and are there ownership changes that investors should know about?

The article reports that the GPT Group, co-owner of the MLC Centre, announced it would sell its 50% stake in the approximately $750 million building. Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) is also believed to be poised to sell its share. These ownership moves have been reported alongside renovation plans for the centre.

Is the Theatre Royal likely to close permanently after Jersey Boys ends?

While there has been speculation about temporary or permanent closure, Patricia Charan, manager of the Theatre Royal, said 'we are not being closed or going dark.' The theatre’s team says it’s challenging to find shows at late notice because most productions are booked at least a year out, but they are actively working to secure bookings.

What shows are already confirmed at the Theatre Royal and nearby Sydney theatres for 2012 and beyond?

The only confirmed booking at the Theatre Royal for 2012 is Scooby‑Doo Live! Musical Mysteries for a short three-day season in April. Nearby venues have several confirmed seasons: John Frost’s world premiere of An Officer and a Gentleman — The Musical is set for the Lyric Theatre in May 2012, Legally Blonde at the Lyric in October 2012, and Strictly Ballroom in September 2013. Rodney Rigby’s next musical, The Addams Family, will play at the Capitol in 2013.

Why are major producers calling for a 1,500-seat theatre in Sydney?

Producers say Sydney is experiencing a crisis of theatre space and that a larger 1,500-seat playhouse would help the city retain premieres that are currently going to Melbourne or Brisbane. Rodney Rigby and other major producers believe a bigger venue is needed to support large-scale musical premieres and prevent loss of business to other cities.

How long did Jersey Boys run in Sydney and what was its economic impact?

Jersey Boys ran for about 15 months at the 1,100-seat Theatre Royal and is described as one of the longest-running musicals since Cats or Phantom of the Opera. Producer Rodney Rigby said the show injected millions of tourist dollars into the New South Wales economy during its run.