MEDIA RELEASE - Stars set to shine for grand opening of The Pavilion Performing Arts Centre Sutherland
The Sutherland Shire will play host to some of the country’s favourite performers, biggest personalities and leading arts luminaries this weekend, with the official launch of The Pavilion Performing Arts Centre Sutherland set to take place as part of a glittering evening of entertainment.
The evening will be hosted by award winning author and media personality – and one of the Sutherland Shire’s most famed cultural exports, Kathy Lette – who is set to add her customary comic touch to proceedings as she leads guests through a night of captivating entertainment.
Among the other big names set to tread the boards over the course of the evening are singer, actor and media personality David Campbell, celebrated songstress Kate Cebrano, Aussie rock icon Jon Stevens and one of the county’s favourite funnymen, Peter Helliar. Local performers will also have their time to shine as part of the entertainment on offer over the course of the evening, with members of Miranda Musical Theatre Company and local dance school Ettinghausens also set to tread the boards amid a jam-packed line-up of performances.
The gala event has been brought together under the direction of the impeccable Richard Carroll (Hayes Theatre Co’s Calamity Jane), bringing an added element of top-tier stagecraft to proceedings.
Sutherland Shire Mayor, Councillor Carmelo Pesce said he was looking forward to the opportunity to welcome a broad cross section of the Sutherland Shire community to the gala opening event, saying for many it would be their first glimpse of the recently completed $42m facility.
“The gala opening is set to be a milestone event for our community and for lovers of the performing arts far beyond the Sutherland Shire,” Mayor Pesce said.
“The Pavilion Performing Arts Centre Sutherland now stands as a real focal point for the performing arts community and raises the profile of the Sutherland Shire as a place that not only has the audience eager to see the best performers and biggest shows, but now also has the facilities capable of staging them.
“The revamp of the former Sutherland Entertainment Centre has been a real passion project of mine over the 11 years I have served on Council, so I am delighted to be able to welcome back all those who have been involved in bringing this transformation to life, as well as so many people from our local performing arts community who will come to use it.”
Invitees to the event have been drawn extensively from the many local community groups that work with Council to support residents across the Sutherland Shire, as well as strong representation from the local performing arts and musical societies that will use the facility in years to come. The event will also serve as an opportunity to give thanks to the many staff, contractors and stakeholders who contributed to the design and construction of The Pavilion over many years to see the project come to life.
Interim Director of The Pavilion, Rachel Healy, said the calibre of entertainers who eagerly joined the bill for the gala event was testament to The Pavilion’s growing reputation as the region’s premier performing arts destination.
“The Pavilion has already welcomed hundreds of guests through its doors since performers first took the stage for the very first show in late January, with this official gala opening providing further opportunity to share this amazing space with local residents and some of the leading lights of the performing arts.
“We’ve had amazing shows already staged at The Pavilion over the past month, including works by the celebrated Bangarra Dance Theatre in partnership with Sydney Festival, the comic brilliance of The Wharf Revue and shows by leading Australian comic Anh Do. So far, all the shows have wowed local audiences and provided a taste of what’s to come”.
“It’s a real testament to the pulling power of The Pavilion that we’ve been able to draw such a stellar line-up of performers keen to be part of our gala opening event, with even more exciting acts set to take the stage among a crowded calendar of events in months to come.”
The transformation of The Pavilion Performing Arts Centre has delivered a brand new 686-seat theatre, a full fly-tower over the stage, additional rehearsal and meeting spaces, a stunning new entry forecourt and foyer with enhanced accessibility, and upgrades to the surrounding Peace Park to enhance community connectivity.
For more information on the exciting line-up of events set to be staged at the facility in coming months and details on how to secure tickets to upcoming performances, visit https://thepavilionarts.au