Latest news with #THEatreBRIDGE
Sydney Morning Herald
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Ambitious plan to save the Italian Forum breaks ‘golden rule' of theatre
The owners of the Italian Forum are hoping for an arts-led renaissance for the troubled Leichhardt development with the opening of a new 300-seat theatre staging big-name Broadway and West End shows. The new theatre, the brainchild of industry veterans Nathan M. Wright and Andrew Bevis, will be located in the Italian Cultural Centre at the forum and dubbed Teatro, in a nod to the venue's Italian roots. The venue has already been fitted out as a theatre, but has never fulfilled its potential as an arts and cultural hub. However the pair intend to improve it and stage shows there. And they have broken the 'golden rule' of theatre with their ambitious venture. 'So, obviously, the golden rule of theatre is never invest your own money,' says Wright. 'And we haven't taken any notice of that. We've self-funded to get into this building. We want to be able to create great theatre.' Wright and Bevis have long dreamt of having their own theatre where they can nurture young talent and stage high-calibre shows, but were unable to find the right space. 'We started looking at venue after venue,' says Wright. 'Then Andrew called me in December and said, 'I found it'. I said, 'What are you talking about?' He said, 'There's this theatre in Leichhardt'. And I said, 'A theatre? In Leichhardt?'' Loading After nearly seven months negotiating with the not-for-profit Italian cultural organisation that owns the venue, Wright and Bevis sealed the deal and today receive the keys to their new theatre, which they have leased for two years with an option for a further four. The premiere season will launch in October with a fully staged production of The Addams Family musical, featuring a young cast, many of whom are graduates of the THEatreBRIDGE training program run by Wright and Bevis. They will follow that up with the award-winning musical comedy The Prom in 2026.
The Age
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
Ambitious plan to save the Italian Forum breaks ‘golden rule' of theatre
The owners of the Italian Forum are hoping for an arts-led renaissance for the troubled Leichhardt development with the opening of a new 300-seat theatre staging big-name Broadway and West End shows. The new theatre, the brainchild of industry veterans Nathan M. Wright and Andrew Bevis, will be located in the Italian Cultural Centre at the forum and dubbed Teatro, in a nod to the venue's Italian roots. The venue has already been fitted out as a theatre, but has never fulfilled its potential as an arts and cultural hub. However the pair intend to improve it and stage shows there. And they have broken the 'golden rule' of theatre with their ambitious venture. 'So, obviously, the golden rule of theatre is never invest your own money,' says Wright. 'And we haven't taken any notice of that. We've self-funded to get into this building. We want to be able to create great theatre.' Wright and Bevis have long dreamt of having their own theatre where they can nurture young talent and stage high-calibre shows, but were unable to find the right space. 'We started looking at venue after venue,' says Wright. 'Then Andrew called me in December and said, 'I found it'. I said, 'What are you talking about?' He said, 'There's this theatre in Leichhardt'. And I said, 'A theatre? In Leichhardt?'' Loading After nearly seven months negotiating with the not-for-profit Italian cultural organisation that owns the venue, Wright and Bevis sealed the deal and today receive the keys to their new theatre, which they have leased for two years with an option for a further four. The premiere season will launch in October with a fully staged production of The Addams Family musical, featuring a young cast, many of whom are graduates of the THEatreBRIDGE training program run by Wright and Bevis. They will follow that up with the award-winning musical comedy The Prom in 2026.
