Key Takeaways
£150m+
budget commitment
2,000
seat Lyric Theatre
- A major cultural and economic catalyst
- Strengthens Canberra as a premier destination for touring productions
- Supports job generation, tourism, and hospitality
The Canberra Theatre Redevelopment is a once in‑a‑generation project set to reshape Australia’s cultural landscape. Positioned as a performing arts centre of national and international significance, it will allow Canberra to host world‑class productions.
Mace Consult is working with Infrastructure Canberra (iCBR) to provide independent programme advisory and schedule management services, bringing together construction partners, theatre planners, commissioning agents, and government stakeholders into one integrated master schedule to help ensure delivery confidence for a project of this scale. Beyond the technical detail, Mace Consult is acting as a trusted advisor, guiding decisions on sequencing, staging, and constructability so that the redevelopment can be delivered with certainty.
At the heart of the project is a new 2,000 seat Lyric Theatre, designed to welcome musicals, ballet, opera, and international acts such as Hamilton, Wicked, and The Lion King. The new Theatre will include technical features such as world-class acoustics, a proscenium stage, orchestra pit, and fly tower. These will create a cultural precinct capable of hosting productions on par with the world’s leading venues.
More than bricks and mortar, these upgrades will strengthen Canberra’s position as a premier destination for touring productions, supporting jobs and tourism, and revitalising Canberra’s Civic Square as a vibrant entertainment hub. Perhaps most importantly, it will expand opportunities for local artists and audiences, enriching Australia’s cultural identity and leaving a legacy for generations to come.
