Theater Down Under: Wonderful Wharf Theatre transformed derelict space

 The Wharf Theatre in Sydney is home to Sydney Theatre Company.  Located in The Rocks on the water, it is a splendidly converted warehouse space, where patrons  mingle for top theater, cocktails, conversation and fine dining.

WHARF SPACE IN SYDNEY IS LARGER THAN A RUGBY FIELD AND MUCH MORE CIVILIZED WITH A STUNNING PRODUCTION OF 'CYRANO de BERGERAC' 

'My soul is heavy today with the burden of unexpressed love.' -- from "Cyrano de Bergerac" at  Sydney Theatre Company at The Wharf

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS
PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER

THINK AUSTRALIA and you probably don't think fabulous theater.
Kangaroos, convicts, shrimp on the barbee, large vast space, shark attacks. Not too many people -- all cliches. And yet, all true.
But Sydney's Wharf Theatre is no cliche. It's fresh, inventive, beautifully wrought drama in a stunning space.

The Princes Theatre in Melbourne,
established 1892 on the Yarra River,
 is one of the country's first and oldest.

Richard Roxburgh dons the nose of "Cyrano" at the Wharf.
His moving interpretation of the character wowed our reporters.

   











  



Nicole Kidman, above with Hugh Jackman, fell in love in the movies, then married. 
They are ardent supporters of theater in the beautifully "redone" Pier 4 and 5 Wharf.

WE RECENTLY saw a production of "Cyrano de Bergerac" that will live in our memories forever. Acclaimed actor Richard Roxburgh brought the character to life -- as the poetic soul willing to sacrifice everything for the ideal of pure love. (And so in love with language, that he lets a handsome but doltish friend take the credit.)
When the first European settlers brought Western traditions of
theater to Australia in the 1780s, the great tradition of  "Theater Down Under" began.
Like theater worldwide,  Aussie theater was built on known, accepted traditions and developed over time, shaped by local and international artistic movements, events and trends.
TODAY, THINK NICOLE Kidman and her husband, Hugh Jackman. They've put their money and their mouths into promoting Australia's dramatic art -- luring movie studios to Australia and financing live stage productions. With a nod to the proud history of
forebears. Kidman and Jackman carry on the "deep pockets" tradition.
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Their goal is that Aussies and tourists be entertained, enchanted, captivated and challenged.  And so we were at "Cyrano," played to a packed house by a magnificent cast in a once derelict space.

THE WHARF Theatre contains two theatres; Wharf 1 has 339 seats and Wharf 2 has 205 seats. From the street a 200 metre wooden walkway lined with framed posters of STC productions takes patrons through the history of the theater. Large windows frame Sydney Harbour Bridge and the aptly named Theatre Bar at the End of the Wharf offers east and west facing balconies as one sips a glass of wine with gorgeous views of Luna Park and the North Shore skyline.
The space is larger than a rugby field and cost $3.7 million to restore.  Builders worked 56 weeks to refurbish it and water themes are incorporated into the company’s blue logo.

The Wharf's popular Theatre Bar at the End of the Wharf lures playgoers
for a cocktail with a splendid view before or after the performance.

EARLY SYDNEY playbills date back to 1788.  Colonial drama consisted mostly of English-style musical theater, comedies and pantomimes with local themes. Australia's early theater was, as the penal colony, a place of punishment for convicts.
INTERNATIONAL star Sarah Bernhardt toured Australia in 1891. American touring ensembles brought vaudeville-style theatre to Australia. In 1893 Harry Rickards founded Sydney's Tivoli Theatre and the Tivoli vaudeville circuit. Authorities struggled with badly-behaved audiences, pickpockets and other crimes.
But theater is alive and well in Australia. "Cyrano" made us think, laugh and even cry.