How to Support Divine Playhouse, Which Just Had Its Lease Terminated

How often do you hear about a new independent arts space opening in Sydney? Almost never? Yeah. Hence why the city’s performers, promoters and LGBTQIA+ community were overjoyed when Divine Playhouse (originally called Unholy Playhouse) opened at 420 Kent Street earlier this month, in a former church, which was deconsecrated in 1932. The building had been empty for several years prior.

Headed up by Heaps Gay, the queer venue was ready to fill the holes left by the likes of Freda’s and Goodgod. But the venue attracted Christian protestors to its front doorstep in its first week, after a party where one man wore a nun’s habit and another dressed up as a pig and passed out McDonald’s fries in a parody of communion. The venue’s name had already been changed to placate Christian objectors.

Divine Playhouse claims the building’s owner, Revelop, subsequently terminated the lease last week on the grounds of “offensive trade”, an 1842 law passed to regulate businesses generating unwanted waste and smells, but never yet tested on the grounds of moral offensiveness. Anyone who bought tickets for a cancelled show at Divine Playhouse is eligible for a refund, obtained by contacting the venue directly.

“We believe this termination was unlawful and unjust. I am devastated. I am angry – for us, for our artists, for this city and its people,” Divine Playhouse founder Kat Dopper wrote in a statement.

“This isn’t about Divine versus Revelop. It’s so much bigger. If a landlord’s personal beliefs can shut down an arts venue, no stage in this country is safe. Who decides what art is acceptable? Right now, the answer is whoever owns the building.”

Divine Playhouse, which opened with financial support from the City of Sydney and the NSW Government, has until 5pm Wednesday to return to the site to its previous state, which includes removing fridges, flooring, signage and a raft of other fittings. The venue is urgently looking for a new home.

Artist Monica Higgins set up a Gofundme, which has thus far raised $40,000. Performer Fran Giapanni launched a separate petition to help find a new location, explicitly asking Premier Chris Minns, Minister for the Arts John Graham, 24-Hour Economy Commissioner Michael Rodrigues and the City of Sydney for support. At the time of writing, the petition has more than 18,000 signatures. A rival petition by local Catholic Chris Nave calls for Christianity to be respected and the NSW government to sever ties with Divine Playhouse. It has more than 7000 signatures.

Divine Playhouse will also hold a peaceful “sing-in” rally at midday, July 25 in Hyde Park to “stand up for freedom of expression”, and a fundraiser show is being planned to get cancelled artists back on stage.

Revelop was contacted for comment.