Performance revival at Paddington Town Hall
Paddington Town Hall could become a hub for live music performances, theatre productions, comedy shows and cabaret nights under a City of Sydney plan to boost the area’s cultural mix.
The City is calling on venue managers, creative organisations, producers, artists and musicians to submit ideas to transform the building’s main auditorium into a performance space.
The proposal follows the release of the City’s Live Music and Performance Action Plan and Cultural Policy earlier this year, both of which include a range of actions to support Sydney’s live music and performance scene – including upgrading Council-owned properties to make them suitable for performances.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the City was committed to doing everything in its power to make Sydney’s live music and performance sector more sustainable and support local business.
“While Sydney has enjoyed a reputation for outstanding live performers and bands, the industry has faced significant challenges in recent years, leading to fewer venues for live music and performance,” the Lord Mayor said.
“As part of our new live music and cultural plans, we have committed to making more of the City’s town halls and community facilities available for gigs, performances and even theatrical productions.
“Paddington Town Hall is a wonderful local landmark which we recently transformed with a $2.5 million upgrade. We need our local creative community to put forward ideas to help activate the hall as a performance venue and boost the area’s profile as an exciting cultural destination.
“This will also provide a boost for local businesses and retailers who will see an upsurge in footfall both before and after performances.”
Paddington Town Hall has a rich history as a performance venue – in the late 1960s it was a centre for the local bohemian music scene, while in the 1970s and 1980s it played host to a range of major Australian acts including Radio Birdman, The Saints and The Divinyls.
More recently, the 700-seat Stapleton Hall has operated primarily as a community venue, hosting occasional school concerts, wedding receptions and clearance sales.
The expression of interest will seek ideas to lift the profile of Stapleton Hall as a live performance venue, deliver a program of high-quality, publicly accessible performances, and boost economic activity for the building’s other tenants and nearby businesses.
Proposals must take into account the building’s heritage status, existing technical infrastructure and backstage facilities, and the activities of the hall’s other tenants and neighbours.
As part of the expression of interest process, the City will engage with existing tenants – including Chauvel Cinema, Metro Screen, Eastside Radio and Paddington Library – and regular hirers of Stapleton Hall.
The EOI will be open until Tuesday 11 November. For more information, visit tenderlink.com/cityofsydney