Welcome Back to Festival Theatre Grand New Entrances and Stellar Programme of Entertainment Unveiled Today
Adelaide Festival Centre’s Festival Theatre has welcomed back audiences in spectacular style with two new entrances unveiled earlier this year, featuring the reinstatement of significant artworks, and a programme of exciting light shows, entertainment, and free events.
The highly anticipated reopening of Festival Theatre features two beautifully redeveloped and spacious entrances – the King William Road Entrance and Festival Plaza Entrance, both displaying significant artworks.
Festival Theatre King William Road Entrance – Photo by Peter Barnes
Adelaide Festival Centre CEO & Artistic Director Douglas Gautier AM: “We are thrilled to have reopened Festival Theatre after seven months and we warmly welcome back audiences and artists.
“We are excited to be creating a buzz of activity at our new entrances that border the new Festival Plaza, which will become the gateway to the vibrant Riverbank Precinct. This much-loved theatre will continue to light up for the Adelaide Cabaret Festival Variety Gala and in May when hit Broadway Musical Frozen takes to the stage.
“South Australians love musicals and we will be announcing more big shows soon as we lead into our 50th Anniversary in 2023.”
South Australian Premier and Minister for the Arts Steven Marshall: “This is a terrific opportunity for South Australians to engage with a programme of art, music, theatre and family fun in the areas surrounding one of Adelaide’s most of iconic and beloved theatres – Festival Theatre.
A Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony performed by Senior Kaurna Man Uncle Mickey Kumatpi O’Brien and First Nations dancers from Tjarutja Dance Theatre Collective marked the official unveiling of the significant Kaurna Reconciliation Sculptures at their new home, visible from King William Road. Other key artworks have also been reinstated including Sir Sidney Nolan’s striking Rainbow Serpent work, the brass sculpture Sundial by Owen Broughton and steel Sculpture No. 2 by Bert Flugelman (who also created The Spheres, best known as the Malls’ Balls’).
Festival Theatre King William Entrance Featuring Kaurna Reconciliation Sculptures – Photo by Peter Barnes
Uncle Mickey Kumatpi O’Brien: “Kaurna people have always welcomed people to our land. These sculptures recognise Kaurna people’s connection to this country, and through the art, we share the stories, history, language, beliefs, and laws, which the Kaurna people live by. When we use our observation eyes, and our enquiring ears we gain greater connection to a millennium of cultural wisdom and knowledge. Niina Marni, Kaurna Yarta-ana, welcome to Kaurna country.”
Patrons can also wander around one of the many exhibitions on offer in new expansive galleries in Festival Theatre foyer, including Bravo Festival Theatre!, which features untold stories through artworks, costumes, and objects from Adelaide Festival Centre’s Works of Art and Performing Arts Collections.
HICK, Jacqueline – Festival Theatre across the Torrens
The first stage of Festival Theatre back of house upgrades has also been completed in the last seven months, including dressing rooms, the Orchestra Assembly Room, Stage Door, and production offices. The second stage of these upgrades is in planning.
The Festival Plaza public realm upgrade is part of the larger A$993 million Festival Plaza redevelopment, which has been undertaken by the State Government in partnership with SkyCity Casino and Walker Corporation.