Live theatre will be far more accessible to Lane Cove locals with the construction of a new multi-functional performance space on Pottery Lane.
The appropriately named Pottery Lane Performance Space will provide theatre-loving locals with the opportunity to view shows from local talent. The space has long been advocated for, with Lane Cove Theatre Company president Lochie Beh saying the project has been a long time coming.
“For about 30 years, we’ve been advocating to have a performance space in Lane Cove, and now it’s finally come to fruition. So we’re very excited,” Lochie said.
“The space will actually allow for not only the theatre company to be able to have a space to perform in, but also for other community groups to be able to have Ted Talks, to be able to have jazz nights, to be able to have cabarets and a whole bunch of other things.”
The facility is said to add an adaptable space suitable for a wide range of performances, including but not limited to experimental theatre, small-scale productions, cinematic screenings, acoustic concerts, multimedia showcases, and community-led events.
It will have a seating capacity of up to 135 and will be fully equipped with soundproofing, audiovisual stage lighting and a backstage area for performers. It is also accessible for people with limited mobility.
Lane Cove Council allocated $1 million to convert the Terrace Function Room at 1 Pottery Lane into the performance space and is expecting its official opening to commence next Spring. Our Cover photos shows the new stage area being constructed.
Lane Cove Performing Space Trial Program
Until then, Lane Cove Council says it will be conducting a trial program of the now-completed space from next week, beginning with a comedy show.
“With the space now complete, the next step is to test the functionality and versatility of these features across a three-month trial program which kicks off next week with a comedy show called Are You Pulling My Leg?” Council told ITC.
“Additional activities will be announced as part of the Agenda for this month’s Council meeting with more than 12 different types of activities providing the opportunity for audiences and performers to share their feedback during the first three months of 2025.”
Before the new performance space, Lane Cove Theatre Company had been hosting their performances at St Aidan’s Church in Longueville, an improvised space which put their volunteers to work.
“This will offer a huge amount of difference to our volunteers, who have volunteer fatigue,” Lochie said.
“At the church space, we had to pack up and set up after every single performance that we did. But not only that, it’s also the factor of just having that real theatrical experience where we can put our sets up and actually leave them up for the community to be able to see and be able to utilise.”
The theatre company has performed four plays this year, Murder Mystery, The Lieutenant of Inishmore, Radium Girls and Shrek The Musical Jr. Their first show of the new year will be IF/THEN which will debut in the new performative space in March.
“While events will take place in the space from next week, the official opening is planned for spring and will feature a light program of performances and an opening ceremony,” Council wrote.
“This event will also provide a networking opportunity for the cultural and performance community to connect with Council and celebrate the completion of this state-of-the-art facility.”
The project is based on Council’s Cultural Action Plan, which lists the multipurpose cultural performance space as a critical priority.
The ten-year ‘Create Lane Cove: Cultural Plan’ was adopted by Council in February 2016 and intends to expand the direction of arts, culture and cultural diversity in the suburb.
“For any age range that comes through, whether you’ve done it before or never stepped foot on a stage, it’s also great for all of those sorts of people, but also for those people, for behind stage, so things like tech sound and also for things like stage manager,” Lochie explained.
“I think it will brighten the horizons for what Lane Cove is actually capable of doing, not only within the local community but also within the broader range community.
“We have people that come to our shows from all around Sydney, and so for them to be able to come here and realise that there’s actually a performance space that they can utilise would be fantastic for the community, therefore bringing more money, more people and more experience into the local area.”
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