Riverside Theatres Parramatta

Riverside Theatres
General information
Type	Performing arts centre
Address	Corner Church and Market Streets, Parramatta
Current tenants	National Theatre of Parramatta Packemin Productions Cumberland Gang Show (+ others)
Construction started	1986
Opened	27 February 1988
Renovated	2024–2028
Owner	City of Parramatta
Design and construction
Architect(s)	Bryon Harford (Project Architect), New South Wales Government Architect
Other information
Seating capacity	Riverside Theatre 761 Lennox Theatre 213 Rafferty's Theatre 88
Public transit access	Prince Alfred Square light rail
Website
riversideparramatta.com.au

Riverside Theatres is a multi-venue performing arts centre located in the CBD of Parramatta in the western suburbs of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Opened in 1988, its venues include the 761-seat proscenium arch Riverside Theatre, the 213-seat Lennox Theatre, and the 88-seat Rafferty's Theatre. The proscenium arch's architectural design is inspired by the common European Opera House concept, which lends an intimate and live performance space. It is considered to be an A Reserve house, which implies that the sight-lines are perfect for most seats and a standard ticket price is applicable to the entire house at the Hirer's discretion. ^[1]

The National Theatre of Parramatta is a resident theatre company. ^[2] Other regular companies and productions that perform there include Packemin Productions, Sydney Theatre Company, Sport For Jove, The Premier State Ballet, Cumberland Gang Show and Pacific Opera.^{[ citation needed ]}

History

The Riverside Theatres building is on a plot of land called "Prince Alfred Square" and was built where a public bathing building once was. The land was originally home to the Burramattagal Aboriginal people.

The 1970s saw proposals to construct a cultural centre in Parramatta, however this was not acted upon. ^[3] In 1983, the Commonwealth and state governments recognised a need to build a new cultural centre in Parramatta and so they jointly committed six million dollars. ^[3]

In 2023, funding was allocated for an upgrade to the existing Riverside Theatres building. ^[4] In 2024, a design was chosen. Work will commence in late 2025 and is projected to be complete by 2028. ^[5]

References

1. "Riverside Theatre". Riverside Theatres Parramatta. Features. Archived from the original on 16 March 2025.
2. Dalzell, Stephanie (19 November 2015). "New National Theatre of Parramatta to challenge racial stereotypes". ABC News . Archived from the original on 23 February 2017. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
3. Goodman, Michelle (2018) [2017]. "Where the Riverside Theatres Stand". City of Parramatta Research and Collections. Archived from the original on 21 June 2025. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
4. Morris, Linda (11 February 2023). "Green light for $176 million Parramatta lyric theatre redevelopment". The Sydney Morning Herald . Archived from the original on 27 August 2025. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
5. Amies, Lucia (3 April 2025). "Design for Parramatta Riverside Theatres on exhibition". ArchitectureAU . Archived from the original on 3 April 2025. Retrieved 27 August 2025.