The old Parade Theatre was a lecture hall until The Old Tote Theatre converted it into a more artistic space in 1969, and it then became NIDA’s major theatre in 1988. The current award-winning Parade Theatre was opened in 2002.
Parade Theatres, 215 Anzac Parade Kensington now comprise:
- Parade Theatre – 709 seats
- Parade Playhouse (formerly NIDA Theatre) - 183 seats
- Parade Studio – 120 seats
- Parade Space (formerly NIDA Studio) – 104 seats
- Nancy Fairfax Foyer (dinners for 350)
- Reg Grundy Studio (state of the art film studio)
- Reception Room
- 9 rehearsal rooms
PARADE THEATRE’S Manager, Les Currie explained: “Since I have been at NIDA I have wrestled with the public image of the Parade Theatre as a commercial venue. It seems to me there is a strong recognition of the NIDA brand, but less so for the Parade Theatre. People may know where NIDA is, but don’t know it’s also the home of four beautiful commercial theatres. There is a public perception that the only shows presented at NIDA are our student shows. While it’s true that NIDA productions make up the majority of activity in the theatres, we now also present a number of commercial productions and envisage PARADE THEATRES will eventually become recognised as a state-of-the-art entertainment complex similar to the Sydney Opera House, Seymour Centre and Riverside Theatres.”
It would appear the name change has already reaped benefits with a number of commercial and community events booked for 2007 including:
- Two week season of international productions from the Sydney Festival
- International chanters Deva Premal and Miten
- International harpist Joanna Newsome
- Canned Laughter’s three week season of Lend Me A Tenor
- Short Sweet and Song (a festival of 10 minute musical theatre pieces)
- The Flying Fruit Fly Circus’ Circus Girl
- Taurus Productions’ Over the Moon and Far Away
- The Naked Samoans (writers of SBS’ cult series Bro’Town)
- Red Stich Theatre’s The Shape of Things by Neil La Bute
- Tony Barry in A Local Man, Bob Ellis’ hit play about Ben Chifley
For bookings or further information on the venues contact Les Currie on (02) 9697 7585 or
