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Sydney Theatre
 The
image of culturally impoverished, beer swilling ockers is one that has
been promoted by films such as "Strictly Ballroom" and comedy acts like
Sir Les Patterson. Thankfully, it simply doesn't stand up for those who
have visited this vibrant, cultural city.
There
is more to Sydney than just a pretty Opera House and the theatre scene is
alive and well. For mainstream tastes, the Capitol Theatre cnr George and
Campbell Streets, (02) 9320 9122, really looks the part with flashing
bulbs on the outside and blockbusters like Miss Saigon on the inside. The
Theatre Royal MLC Centre, King Street, (02) 9320 9111, and State Theatre
(02) 9373 6655, offer similar fayre and are located nearby.
There
is more to Sydney's theatre scene than a sprinkling of Lloyd Webbers,
however, and a good place to start is
The Sydney
Theatre Company who's performances can be found at their theatre at
The Wharf in Hickson Road, Walsh Bay, and also at the Sydney Opera House
in their Drama Theatre. They put on acclaimed performances from Australian
and international playwrights, and are the top theatre company in the
city. Their Walsh Bay theatre is also home to the Sydney Dance Company.
Smaller
scale, but with a good reputation,
The
Epicentre Theatre Company has been putting on performances for the
last 25 years. They put on Shakespearean plays amongst others at the
Zenith Theatre in Chatswood, cnr Railway Street & McIntosh Street,
Chatswood NSW2067, Tel: (02) 9411 7011, Fax: (02) 9411 8774. CityRail is
the easiest way of getting there as it is close to Chatswood Railway
Station. You can also catch performances from Phoenix Theatre Productions
here.
Comedy
The
Aussie sense of humour is legendary, so it is only appropriate that Sydney
has a healthy comedy scene. The Comedy Festival takes place every October,
and is fast becoming one of the essential fixtures on the international
comedy circuit. If you are in Sydney at the right time of year then this
is your chance to see great Aussie comedians like Nigel Sutton and the
Scared Weird Little Guys.
There
is no shortage of venues at any time of the year however. The jewel of the
Sydney comedy scene is the Comedy Store, cnr Parramatta Road and Crystal
Street, Petersham, Tel. (02) 9564 3900, with acts on stage from Tuesday to
Sunday.
Cinema
There
is a swathe of cinemas in George Street, just down from the Town Hall.
This is where you will find the Hollywood blockbusters for around $AU 14 a
throw. Tuesday is the city's cheap night out with films reduced to half
price.
Independent, arthouse and less commercial films are represented too. Try
the Village cinema in Pitt Street, which is a perfectly respectable, if
nearly always empty cinema. Also vying for those in search of something a
little more challenging is The Dendy Cinema 19 Martin Place, Sydney 2000,
(02) 9233 8166. Monday is the Dendy's cheap night with tickets reduced to
$AU 7.50. They have a bar and bistro too if you want to make an evening of
it.
If you
really want something a bit different, try Govinda's at 112 Darlinghurst
Road. Here you can feast on very reasonably priced vegetarian food cooked
in the Hare-Krishna style, and then veg out in the cinema upstairs, which
features
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