The recent cancellation of two major Sydney musical theatre seasons has prompted calls in NSW Parliament for greater government support for the industry.
NSW Nationals Upper House MP Scott Barrett has moved a Notice of Motion calling on the NSW Government to support the state’s musical theatre sector, following the cancellation of the planned Sydney seasons of Waitress and Beetlejuice.
The Sydney season of Waitress was cancelled in mid-July, following the earlier announcement that Beetlejuice would no longer proceed with its planned Sydney engagement.
Barrett said the impact extended well beyond individual productions.
“Musical theatre and theatre in general supports thousands of jobs and adds to the vibrancy of our state,” he said. “It also provides huge cultural value, particularly homegrown productions that tell our stories, showcase our talent, and reflect our society.”
While much of the commercial theatre industry is concentrated in Sydney, Barrett also pointed to the importance of touring productions and professional pathways for performers from regional NSW.
For dancers and musical theatre performers, large-scale productions provide a significant source of professional employment, alongside opportunities for choreographers, dance captains, swings, understudies and other creative and technical workers.
Barrett argued that intervention was needed to help strengthen the sector following the recent cancellations, describing a need for a “circuit breaker” to support local theatre and maintain audiences.
His parliamentary intervention comes amid renewed discussion about the economics of mounting major commercial productions in Australia, particularly the costs and risks associated with extended seasons.