Theatre and Shows in Sydney

There's always a lively calendar of theatre, musicals and other performances to experience on stages scattered around Sydney. Outstanding venues include the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Theatre and the Wharf Theatre at Walsh Bay, Belvoir St Theatre, Sydney Lyric at The Star and the Riverside Theatres at Parramatta.

In 2013 the Sydney Theatre Company offers a stunning program that includes new productions of Romeo and Juliet, Waiting for Godot and The Maids by Jean Genet while Opera Australia features classical favourites including Puccini's Tosca and Verdi's La traviata. Also performing at The Playhouse in the Sydney Opera House is the Bell Shakespeare Company, bringing to life the timeless works of Shakespeare and other prolific writers throughout the year.

Major venues that host West End and Broadway shows year-round include the Theatre Royal, The Capitol Theatre in the Haymarket and The State Theatre. The Griffin Theatre Company performs new writing theatre at The Stables in Kings Cross while King Street Theatre in Newtown has cabaret, drama, pocket opera, chamber music and more.

The Seymour Theatre Centre also in Newtown, has a wide range of performing arts - drama, music theatre for young people - and is a venue for January's Sydney Festival, Sydney Comedy Festival, Sydney Children's Festival and Sydney Fringe Festival. Riverside Theatres at Parramatta has more than 700 performances a year including opera, drama, ballet, contemporary dance and musicals.

Aspire Hotel Sydney – The Perfect Base for Aspiring Scientists

Science enthusiasts from all over NSW are preparing to converge on Ultimo in the inner city for the 11 day Ultimo Science Festival, September 12 - 22, with Aspire Hotel Sydney the perfect accommodation choice for visitors.

There will be talks to challenge your perceptions of the world, hands-on activities to puzzle over, startling exhibitions, inspiring science shows and even the chance to share ideas with real research scientists.

The Ultimo Science Festival is a joint initiative of the Powerhouse Museum, Australian Broadcasting Centre, Ultimo TAFE and the University of Technology – all of which are located a short stroll from Aspire Hotel Sydney.

Tucked away in a quiet, tree-lined street in Ultimo, Aspire Hotel Sydney offers 96 spacious standard and deluxe guest rooms, each with its own ensuite with full bath, while some rooms have excellent city views and private open-air balconies looking onto green parkland or the city beyond. Modern conveniences are standard in all rooms, with Internet data ports and ‘smart bars’ which charge any incidentals directly to your hotel account.

Each room is furnished to accommodate a minimum of three people, making the hotel attractive to families seeking a peaceful respite and park-like surrounds within walking distance to all science festival venues and to the city. It is also a short stroll to nearby Wentworth Park where active families or health-conscious couples can run, cycle or enjoy a range of sporting activities at the local sports centre add to the convenience of Aspire Hotel Sydney.

The hotel is also easily accessible to the rest of the city through a myriad of transport options including light rail and city buses. Access to the airport, Blue Mountains and other attractions is from nearby Central Station. 

Not only can families enjoy the Science Festival, they can also visit IMAX Theatre, the Sydney Aquarium, the newly-opened Wildlife World, the Maritime Museum and Chinatown - all just a short stroll from the hotel, while Cockle Bay Wharf and King Street Wharf provide vibrant eating options by day and by night, as well as the place from which to explore the harbour by boat.  

Aspire Hotel Sydney is part of the Metro Hospitality Group, and is located at 383-389 Bulwara Road, Ultimo, at the north western end of Sydney’s Darling Harbour precinct.

Guests can book at Aspire Hotel Sydney and Metro Hotels properties by calling the toll free Central Reservations line on 1800 00 4321. Alternatively bookings can be made online at the new look website, www.metrohotels.com.au. 

Book the Powerhouse Museum Accommodation Package at Aspire Hotel Sydney

See all Metro Hotels Press Releases at Metro Hotels News

Dora the Explorer Live @ Capitol Theatre Sydney! Dora's Pirate Adventure ~ Oct 15 2013

Arr me hearties! Get ready for some fun with Dora the Explorer and her Pirate Adventure live show at Capitol Theatre Sydney! On for ONE SHOW ONLY on 15th Oct 2013, this is not to be missed by Dora fans!

Dora, her best buddy Boots the Monkey, and the rest of their friends embark on an exciting trip to Treasure Island. The audience helps them navigate over Dancing Mountain, through Silly Singing Bridge and to confront the Pirate Piggies. Along the way, the audience will use their map-reading, counting, musical and language skills to successfully help Dora reach the treasure. All ends happily onstage with a "yo-ho-ho!"

When: Tuesday 15th October 2013

Location: Capitol Theatre Sydney - 13 Campbell Street, Haymarket NSW 2000 Australia

Tickets: http://www.ticketmaster.com.au/Nickelodeons-Dora-the-Explorer-Live-Doras-tickets/artist/1545577

Staying in Sydney for the show?  

Need accommodation near Capitol Theatre?

Look no further than Metro Hotel Sydney Central - right next door to the Capitol Theatre whilst being close to other iconic Sydney attractions. Great if you have young children who dislike walking too far or have prams. 

Website: Metro Hotel Sydney Central

Australia’s Wonderland Set for Return

News.com.au and several other sites came out last Friday with reports that Australia’s Wonderland was set to return to Sydney’s west, courtesy of Mount Druitt property developer Ammar Khan. Only, it would have a different name: Sydney’s Wonderland. The only question we have about this resurrection of the theme park that was closed in 2004 is this: will the Bush Beastie make a rattling and triumphant return?

According to the report Mr Khan said the project would take three years to complete stage one, which would include hotel operations, cinemas and restaurants, as well as a multi-themed attractions and amusements.‘The timing on when this $150 million project starts depends on when I get confirmation from stakeholders that they want to invest,’ he said.”

So, it’s a bit of a hold-your-horses type deal. At the moment the plan is a proposal (see the full plan at Sydney’s Wonderland) but we asked Mr Khan for the three most exciting aspects of his Wonderland proposal, and here’s what he gave us:

- “Wonderland will be like the Wonderland you remember… just better”: As with before, the proposed Sydney’s Wonderland will have historical themed areas and plenty of nods to your favourite TV shows (whether from the Hanna Barbera stable, we’re yet to see). While it will be “fundamentally reminiscent” of the Wonderland you know and love, it will benefit from the leaps and bounds theme park technology has taken in the last decade.

- We’ll be getting our own Disneyland-style boulevard: The new incarnation of Wonderland would be part of a precinct called the Western Sydney Theme Park precinct that would feature restaurants, parks and tourist attractions aplenty, all centred around a boulevard that will be free to enter.

- Wonderland comes with a water park and wildlife park: … though Kahn is quick to point out that Wonderland has no plans to engage in competition with Wet ‘N Wild, saying “the two facilities will differ substantially in character and theme”.

This combined with news that Wet ‘N Wild is due to open in December has the 12-year-old in us very pumped indeed.

And if you want to relive your old Wonderland Days, check out this Wonderland History website, for pics and information on the old park.