In brief:

• Concept designs for a new lyric theatre in Canberra are now live.
• The new lyric theatre will attract major productions, boost visitation and create new jobs.
• The new lyric theatre is stage one of the Canberra Theatre Centre transformation project.

Design and construction planning is progressing for a new lyric theatre in the city centre.

The new theatre is part of the Canberra Theatre Centre transformation project.

A lyric theatre will enable Canberra to host major national and international productions.

The Canberra Theatre Centre transformation

The transformation project will upgrade the precinct into a world-class performing arts destination.

The project will be delivered in stages. The new lyric theatre is stage one, and later stages will include refurbishments to:

• The Canberra Theatre
• The Playhouse
• The Courtyard Studio.

What is a lyric theatre?

A lyric theatre is a venue built to accommodate large-scale performances such as musicals, ballet and opera.

Lyric theatres have bigger stages, larger seating capacity and better sound for the audience.

With the addition of a lyric theatre, the ACT will attract major national and international touring productions, so the community won’t have to travel interstate.

Design and planning of the new lyric theatre

The lyric theatre will be built on what is currently the Theatre Lane car park, on the northern side of The Playhouse.

To shape the planning and design, the ACT Government did a broad community consultation.

They also worked closely with First Nations peoples, people with disability/advocates, multicultural and LGBTQIA+ communities.

The new theatre will include:

• a spacious stage to accommodate large sets and casts
• a modern orchestra pit for live music
• excellent acoustics for an enjoyable sound experience
• three levels of seating (up to 2,000 seats)
• modern and inclusive amenities
• facilities for ticketing, cloaking and merchandise
• accessible seating, ramps and lifts
• hospitality offerings
• a sustainable, green star all-electric design
• design elements that celebrate First Nations Connection to Country.

To learn how community consultation influenced the theatre’s design, visit the Your Say website.

If you’d like to see the vision, you can now look at the latest concept designs for the theatre.

Benefits

The new lyric theatre will help make the city centre a welcoming and exciting place for the local community and visitors.

It will:

• create more jobs in the arts, hospitality and construction
• create opportunities, networks and audiences for the arts sector
• increase visitor numbers – boosting the economy
• bring investors to the region
• offer popular musicals, ballet, and opera closer to home.

What’s the latest progress?

The lyric theatre is moving forward with a Works Approval for main construction submitted to the National Capital Authority (NCA).

This will focus on the outside of the building, including architectural design, future site access and construction program.

The Works Approval consultation is available to view on the NCA website.

To support the planning and design process, there will be continued targeted stakeholder consultation.

Site establishment and early works for the lyric threatre are planned to start from mid-October 2025.

This will prepare the area for the main construction phase and include:

• closure of Theatre Lane car park
• closure of public access to Theatre Lane behind the Canberra Theatre Centre
• installation of hoarding and site sheds
• work to The Playhouse so the venue can stay open during construction
• tree removal
• services relocations.

In late 2025 a construction proposal will be provided to the government for consideration and approval. If accepted, main construction will start early next year.

Impacts

The Theatre Lane car park is planned to close from 14 October 2025 and remain closed until 2028 for the duration of main construction works, pending approvals.

To find other places to park in the city, read our Canberra city parking guide.

The Canberra Theatre Centre will remain open during construction so the community can continue to enjoy performances and visit local businesses in the area.

Find out more about the Canberra Theatre Centre transformation project.

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