An Unused Space Behind the Sydney Lyric Has Transformed Into the Foundry Theatre

Did you know theatres have docks? The dock of a theatre is where sets are unloaded and stored for shows. Now, the dock at the Lyric Theatre, which has housed sets for shows like Hamilton and Hairspray over the years, has been transformed into the Foundry Theatre.

The theatre was opened this month by Foundation Theatres.

“Taking this underutilised space and turning it into a theatre is something that we’ve wanted to do for more than 10 years,” Foundation Theatres CEO Graeme Kearns said in a statement.

The group is owned by Stephen Found, who made a fortune selling his tech company Bytecraft and decided to invest his earnings in the local theatre scene.

The Foundry has room for 630 standing or 360 seated, and a stage that can be adapted for live music, comedy, musical theatre or cabaret. But the theatrics at the Foundry begin before the curtain is raised. The entrance is tucked away inside the Lyric’s foyer, with a winding corridor leading to a small, unembellished space, which will be animated by audiovisual effects tailored to each performance.

The theatre was opened last week by esteemed writer, musician, comedian and director Tim Minchin and his band.

“The opening of a new theatre is a rare and wonderful thing,” said Minchin in a statement. “I was stoked that the legendary theatre-builder Stephen Found asked me to be the canary in the coalmine. Or the champagne bottle shattering on the hull. Or the mohel removing the foreskin … you get my drift.”

Following Minchin is a tough act, but Keegan Joyce (Rake, Please Like Me) and Lucy Maunder are stepping up to the plate with the Australian debut of No Love Songs, a hard-hitting and heartwarming musical which sold out seasons in Edinburgh, London and the US.

Also on the line-up is Cole Porter’s musical comedy Kiss Me, Kate which is returning to Sydney stages for the first time since the 1950s. Comedians Akmal, Gillian Cosgriff, Lawrence Mooney, and the Umbilical Brothers are all on the bill between April and May. From May 24 to July 6, the Foundry will welcome L’Hôtel an immersive cabaret-burlesque-circus spectacle.

Tickets for all shows are on sale now.

No Love Songs
Fri March 7 – Sun April 13
Kiss Me, Kate
Mon April 14 – Wed April 16
Gillian Cosgriff in Fresh New Worries
Wed April 23
Prinnie Stevens in Lady Sings Soul
Sat April 26
James Valentine’s Upbeat Revue
Sun April 27
Akmal
Thu May 1 – Sun May 4
Lawrence Mooney in Dead Set Country
Thu May 8 – Sun May 11
The Umbilical Brothers
Thu May 15 – Sun May 18
L’Hôtel
Sat May 24 – Fri July 6

www.foundrytheatre.com.au
@foundrytheatresydney