Source: Australian Capital Territory – State Government
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Released 13/12/2025 – Joint media release
The ACT Government has signed a $317 million contract for the construction of Canberra’s new lyric theatre.
The new theatre will be purpose built to stage large scale theatrical shows. It will have a large state-of-the-art stage, technical performance capability and excellent sound quality, like that of the Sydney Lyric Theatre and the Princess Theatre in Melbourne.
The new theatre will allow Canberra to host major national and international musicals, ballet shows, operas and international acts that currently can’t come to Canberra. Examples of these types of shows include Hamilton, Wicked, Lion King, Miss Saigon, Frozen, Mary Poppins.
The existing theatres at the Canberra Theatre Centre are too small for major shows to be profitable. The new lyric theatre will seat up to 2,000 people, making it capable of attracting top-tier performances and delivering Canberra a highly attractive venue on the national touring circuit.
The new lyric theatre will feature:
- a large stage for big casts and sets
- a framed stage (called a proscenium) for classic theatre style
- a modern orchestra pit for live music
- excellent acoustics for clear sound
- a fly tower to fly scenery in and out
- three seating levels for up to up to 2,000 people
- accessible seating, ramps and lifts
- ticketing, cloaking and merchandise facilities
- hospitality offerings
- a sustainable, all-electric green star design
- features honouring First Nations connection to Country.
Multiplex will deliver the new project with main construction due start early in 2026 with completion in 2028.
The construction team includes designers Cox Architecture in collaboration with Yerrabingin, Charcoalblue theatre and acoustic consultants, as well as Arcadia Landscape Architecture.
The design reflects feedback from community consultation over the past two years.
The National Capital Authority provided main construction Works Approval in November, following public exhibition between September and October this year.
The new lyric theatre is designed to deliver strong economic and visitor benefits for Canberra.
By year five of operations, it is projected to contribute $33.7 million annually in direct expenditure, representing 111,000 visitor nights each year.
The Canberra Theatre Centre will remain open during construction so the community can continue to enjoy performances at the Playhouse, Canberra Theatre and Courtyard Theatres.
The new lyric theatre is part of a significant transformation of the City Centre, including light rail expansion, new active transport connections, new multi-level car parks, new commercial buildings, new and renewed public spaces, a new university campus, major cultural infrastructure and thousands of new homes.
Quotes attributable to Chief Minister Andrew Barr:
“Canberrans are highly engaged in cultural activities. We boast Australia’s highest rate of attendance at cultural venues and events.
“The new theatre will be a major driver of Canberra’s cultural and tourism economies, creating hundreds of jobs during the construction and operational phases.
“This project is also a key part of the transformation of our city centre. It will support the night-time economy, bringing thousands of people into to the city centre each night, over the hundreds of nights it will be used each year.
“It’s a timely investment in our visitor economy and our cultural identity.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for the Arts and Creative Industries Michael Pettersson:
“This marks a major milestone in bringing this world-class cultural venue to life.
“We are another step closer to delivering a new performance space that will inspire creativity, support local talent and attract audiences from across the country.
“This is an exciting moment for Canberra and we look forward to seeing the site transform as work gets underway.”
Quotes attributable to David Ghannoum, NSW/ACT Regional Managing Director for Multiplex:
“Multiplex has worked closely with the ACT Government, theatre users and stakeholders to ensure the new lyric theatre is a world-class cultural venue for all Canberrans.
“We are excited to move into the next phase of delivery of bringing those plans to life.”
– Statement ends –
Andrew Barr, MLA | Michael Pettersson, MLA | Media Releases