State Theatre

We came here to see a documentary during the Sydney Film Festival this year and I just loved this theater! It is such a luxurious example of the time period in which it was built. (I am guessing sometime in the 1920’s) You are transported back in time among all the glamorous décor but despite it’s age the theater appears very well maintained. The seats were a bit small (or maybe I am just a bit big) and not as comfortable as I am used to, but the ambiance made up for it. The audio and visual elements of the experience were also quite good, considering. The old fashioned concession area with the retro popcorn boxes was just the cherry on top of a lovely experience we enjoyed at this exquisite theater,

Love the décor and feel of the state theatre. Been there twice now, first for a film festival and the other to watch the flying Bach performance. Both times I sat upstairs. The upstairs seating for the film screening was great as the screen was clearly visibly. But for the second visit, the views of the stage is partially obstructed by the people infront. And I noticed that most people seating on the upstairs kept shifting their heads throughout the performance so that they can have a clear view of the performers.

The state theatre is always a pleasure to go visit.
We were dragged here during the Sydney Film Festival to watch Snowpiercer (what a movie, btw!) — the use of the bigger seating arena to fit more people in to watch was probably a good thing.
The director made sure that my movie mate and I had some of the «protien bars» that the actors were eating in the movies on hand so that we could eat them at the same time the characters on the screen did. It was an interesting experience, to say the least.
Otherwise though the venue is always good fun, it’s roomy yet cozy. The seating is comfy although I don’t know how much the drinks and other items are as I didn’t buy anything to eat or drink.
But it put on a good show and I totally enjoyed the experience.

Ever wanted to pretend you’re at an Oscars party?
Chuck your glad rags on and step out in style at the State Theatre, the closest thing we’ve got to a Baz Luhrman film made flesh — a magnificent receptacle, a splendiferous spectacle, a gilt-​and-​velvet wonderland where every day’s a holiday and everyone looks good when mood lit.
Part throwback to a bygone age, part modern romance, come for a film, come for a theatre performance, come for a gig, just come as you are. Or were. It can be kind of hard to tell, its’ like the imaginarium of Dr Parnassus all up in this place.
The mermaid busts and marble stairs, the and chandeliers and candy bars are wondrous and dizzying, they make you want to put your arms out and throw your head back and twirl at an invisible camera in the ceiling. If you see me doing that you’ll know why. Take care not to spill your chardonnay.

Beautiful venue. Reserved for a special sort of entertainment: I’ve seen Emmylou Harris here, as well as a RocKwiz Christmas show and a talk by Sir David Attenborough.
Big plus: the seats (down in the stalls, anyway, not sure if I’ve been to the two upper circles) are very spacious. Often these old theatres have tiny seats jammed together, but there provide more than enough leg room, even for a big guy like me.
The deep, rich reds in the intricate paint job; the chandeliers and lighting; the ornate lobbies, stairs and landings; they all make for a lovely venue.

Remember those old fashioned movies when people used to dress up to go see a film or a theatre production — well the State Theatre still holds that regal status, that you could make more of an effort of your appearance and not be entirely out of place. This National Trust classified building is maginificent as its marble entrance hall gives way to dramatic stairs and golden balastrates. The State Theatre has 3 levels and boxes and showcases a variety of musicals, comedy, films and bands. It tends to be the place where films are premiered, with top stars like Renee Zelwegger, Steve Carell and Hugh Jackman walking the red carpet. A wonderful place for people who love the performing arts.

The glorious State Theatre is one of the most beautiful and unique buildings in Australia. It’s architecture is a fusion of Gothic, Italian and Art deco design and never fails to take my breath away. Even the bathrooms are more beautiful than most of the buildings in Sydney– the Butterfly Room on the mezzanine is super-​pretty with butterfly wallpaper and gorgeous lamps. Queuing in such pretty surroundings during intermission is a pleasure!
If you are visiting Sydney and only have time for one live show, just go to anything at the State. Fittingly for such a magical building they only book quality shows here, and if you’re in Sydney during Sydney Film Festival you simply must see a film in this high-​ceilinged, tiled, balconied masterpiece of a theatre. They also run day tours which give some of the background as well as showing off the Wurlitzer and world’s second largest hand-​cut crystal chandelier. Hours vary in accordance with shows but the box office in the foyer is open 9 – 5 Monday to Friday if you want to pop in and see what’s going down.

The State Theatre is host to many different events in a multitude of different industries, but all housed under the umbrella that is entertainment.
When I was 17 years old I went to see a Thirsty Merc concert there, it was great, I remember the lead singer Rai didn’t wear shoes on stage and I thought. Hmm… That solves my 17 year old conundrum of what I should wear when on stage. (I’d had trouble deciding which shoes look good on stage, though I’ve since returned to wearing shoes for safety and aesthetic purposes.)
They have stand up comedians gracing the stage, information events such as sustainability talks, children’s shows like the Fairies and of course every year the Sydney Film Festival.
I have attended the Sydney Film Festival the last two years and it’s always such a pleasure to be seeing a film there, (As the Festival utilises a number of theatres, but the actual competition films tend to be screened at the State, likewise the opening and closing nights.)
The seating is comfortable and vast and of course the decorum of the stage is something to be marvelled at, what with it’s ornate sculptures and lighting.
They’ve even got a John Farnham concert coming up. How many times has that guy retired now?

This is a historical building in itself undergoing some re-​developments. A great venue overall. I was fortunate to come here (even as a university student) at a CEO forum I was invited to; to hear the CEO of the company I was working for at the time speak to us. That was when the venue came alive, and felt oh so prosperous.
The second occasion was at my own peril when I went to a Deepak Chopra event. It is tricky to get a great seat at the front as those tickets sold so quickly, and so had to resort to the back. It was awful; it felt like we were closed in and the seats were extremely uncomfortable; like a dark roof hanging over our heads; where I felt disconnected to the show. On a more positive note, it could have been a lot worse.
A great, inviting ambience with great restroom facilities. I would only ever go to a show, musical or concert at this establishment if I was actually given (or won) a ticket to do so. Their private cinema was a great experience in itself as well. The whole experience of the latter was a blur, however I still had a great evening.

A wardrobe of crimson velvet and world-​weary disdain should be mandatory.
Every June, we film-​festival goers line up waiting to be ushered in to the marble-​floored, gilt-​encrusted gorgeousness of the State Theatre. And that’s just the lobby. A director was being interviewed on stage once who took a photo of us all because they couldn’t believe their film was being shown in such magnificence. Even if the film’s so-​so (and really, how many three-​hour Mongolian black and white supernatural epics with no dialogue can you sit through) you can scrunch back in your seat and stare at the ceiling. I love sitting in the stalls myself, finding the dress circle a little too dizzying.
I once saw Ute Lemper play here too, and my friends and I found it a great venue to catch up on your Marlene Dietrich-​lookalike German cabaret goddesses.
But tell me, check out the busts in the alcove down the front. Most are clearly composers of some sort, but I swear one’s Napoleon. Isn’t it?

The State Theatre is a catch all venue: despite being an opulent and ornate building, I have somehow managed to see X-​Men 2, Cold Mountain and Disney On Ice here. And nothing profoundly cultural. I feel like a philistine. But if you are so inclined, this grand old daddy of theatres is a fine venue to partake of a performance, either of humanoid or giant animal suit variety.
The only thing I will say is that the screen they use for the film festival is placed on the stage and the seating on the floor of the theatre is kind of angled to allow for decent sightlines for theatre performances, so it comes across as little small for the area. Similiarly, the sound is soft for the size of the theatre and is a little muffled. But the trade off is that you get to see these movies at the Film Festival way before your friends and you can form all kinds of unassailable opinions before they even have a chance to react. That’s cultural cache, baby!

You can understand why this is regarded as Sydney’s premier theatre. Apparently it is also a function/​event venue of choice and has numerous options apart from the main auditorium.
My experience of the State theatre was to see the Russian Imperial Ballet Company perform. Well, I’m sure I would have enjoyed this performance at any location. To see it at the State, however, was awe inspiring. What a magnificent theatre. What a night out. This is the kind of place that makes you want to put on best attire, load up your wallet and spoil yourself just because you can. It has an old world charm, complete with bow tied bar staff and friendly ushers. I loved every minute of it and will jump at any opportunity to go back there.
This magnificent venue is befitting of one of the worlds great cities.

I’ve whiled away countless happy hours in the State Theatre. As the main venue for the Sydney Film Festival, I’ve huddled in amongst the throngs of film fans and been whisked away on cinematic adventures around the globe.
But the superb art deco theatre is a sight to see all of its own. Each year filmmakers stand on stage to introduce their works, and nearly every person will make an awestruck comment about the beauty of their surrounds. You can certainly see why the National Trust of Australia has declared it: «a building of great historical significance and high architectural quality, the preservation of which is regarded as essential to our heritage».
The State is also home to all sorts of musical, comedy and stage acts, so although I can’t guarantee the quality of the show, I don’t think you’ll be at all disappointed with the setting.