Complete Version - Sydney Opera House

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2. SHOWTIMEcorroBoree 20002.2SUPPORTING RECONCILIATIONThe weekend of 27–28 May 2000 was a very special time for Australia and the process ofindigenous reconciliation.“ It was a great challenge but it was exciting becauseit was part of history, and on the day it was just soemotional and fantastic. It was something that wewere really proud to be a part of. We were dealingwith a really big event – the reconciliation ceremonyin the Concert Hall. It was challenging for us all andvery hectic behind the scenes, but everythingran smoothly.”JULIE SEATONEVENT MANAGEROn Sunday 28 May world attention was focused on the walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridgeby 150,000 people, who made the crossing to demonstrate their support for reconciliation.The day before, the Sydney Opera House was the centre of attention when it hosted an historicevent – the signing of a 265-word Australian Declaration Towards Reconciliation.The document was signed by indigenous and non-indigenous leaders in the Concert Hall beforea capacity crowd of more than 2000 people. Thousands more overflowed from the building,down the steps and onto the Forecourt.CORROBOREE 2000The document arrived at the House on boardthe ketch Tribal Warrior and was carriedashore by Aboriginal boxing champion, GlenKelly, who was decorated in traditional bodypaint. Many of those present were visiblymoved as he handed it – with great solemnity– to five-year-old Nartarsha Fay.Community leaders endorsed the declarationby covering their palms in ochre and placingtheir handprints on the document, which nowhangs in the Australian Museum in Canberra.Ms Evelyn Scott, Chairperson of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation, later wrote to theChief Executive of the Sydney Opera House:“Please accept my personal thanks, and that of the Council’s, for the part you played inmaking Corroboree 2000 a profoundly moving and historic event. Your commitment fromthe beginning of this project played a major role in ensuring the success of the significantand historic Saturday ceremony. Never before has Australia seen such a gathering ofnational and future leaders – Indigenous, non-Indigenous and Australia’s youthrepresentatives. The reconciliation talk of this day will long be part of driving reconciliationforward for the nation.”A PROGRAM OF INDIGENOUS-INSPIRED EVENTSReflecting the level of commitment to the process of reconciliation, programming staff at theHouse had been planning a special program of indigenous-inspired events to coincide withCorroboree 2000. Planning had commenced a year earlier, well before details of theCorroboree 2000 ceremony were known.Staff at the House were deeply moved by theceremony. They had spent months in carefulplanning and preparation for the event, andthey shared a House-wide commitment to theprocess of reconciliation.CORROBOREE 2000MESSAGE STICKSROMAINE MORETON & FRESH / ARCHIE ROACH AND RUBY HUNTER / MESSAGE STICKS / SOHThe result was the two-week program called Message Sticks, which includedconcerts by indigenous and non-indigenous performers, contemporary dance,poetry, and a photographic exhibition titled Spirit of Arnhem Land byPenny Tweedie.The Message Sticks program concluded with six performances of theacclaimed drama, Box the Pony with Leah Purcell, which drew a total of2,316 patrons – an audience capacity of 96.8%. (After closing at the Housethe production left for a London season.)2627
2.32: 2. SHOWTIMEaLL in a Year’sDANCING ON THE HOUSE / SOHworkmanaGinG 2600 events + auDiencesDOUBLE BASSES / SYDNEY SYMPH0NY ORCHESTRATHE AUSTRALIAN BALLETWith 2,600 indoor and outdoor performances and eventsthis year the Sydney Opera House is one of the busiestperforming arts centres in the world.Few performing arts centres match the diversity ofperformance product at the House – opera, ballet,orchestral concerts, recitals, chamber music,contemporary dance and music, theatre, cabaret,comedy and even circus.The House’s major presenters continue to provide themajority of programming, with 66% in 1999/2000presented by Australia’s leading performing arts companies.The Sydney Opera House continued to develop its role as apresenter with an exciting and innovative range ofprogramming, complementing the work of the majorpresenters and attracting new audiences to the House.PERFORMANCE TRENDS – MAJOR VENUES(including performances in the Reception Hall)AVERAGE %YEAR No. OF PATRONS No. OF EVENTS CAPACITY90–91 1,078,870 1,321 78%91–92 1,147,013 1,462 79%92–93 1,099,465 1,401 77%93–94 1,074,203 1,356 77%94–95 1,047,037 1,257 76%95–96 1,218,809 1,371 77%96–97 1,205,730 1,364 80%97–98 1,184,683 1,384 76%98–99 1,169,978 1,469 77%99–00 1,247,763 1,533 81%10 YEAR AV. 1,147,355 1,392 78%“ Almost every night there are five theatresrunning at one time with five differentperforming arts companies. Our job is toact as an interface between thecompanies and the public, to integratewhat they offer into a seamless process.”PETER NELSONBOX OFFICE SUPERVISORWELCOMING OUR AUDIENCEThrough the year more than 1.2 millionpatrons attended performances in our majorvenues resulting in an average capacity of81% for events in these venues.Customer service training for Front of House,Security, Visitor Service Officers andSodexho staff was undertaken to renewour focus on delivering the highest levelof service to patrons.PERFORMANCE TRENDS – ALL VENUESESTIMATEDYEAR No. OF PATRONS No. OF EVENTS90–91 1,468,398 2,33391–92 2,066,569 2,62892–93 2,064,609 2,53293–94 2,126,681 2,50494–95 1,899,353 2,11495–96 2,453,164 2,20496–97 2,611,762 2,26397–98 2,294,008 2,27598–99 1,860,307 2,23099–00 1,657,342 2,60010 YEAR AV. 2,050,219 2,368Along with the reorganisationof key customer servicedepartments and animproved Front of Houseservice for people withdisabilities, new lighting andsignage were introduced inresponse to previouscustomer feedback. Theseand other customer serviceinitiatives led to a reductionin negative customerfeedback by more than 50%with 145 negative responsesreceived during the year,compared to 322in 1998/1999.THE HOUSE IS ALSO HOMEThe House is also home for many of Australia’s leadingperforming arts companies.Throughout the year the major presenters played a key rolein showcasing an exciting and diverse range of performances.Our major presenters are:– Australian Chamber Orchestra;– Bell Shakespeare Company;– Musica Viva;– Opera Australia;– Sydney Dance Company;– Sydney Festival;– Sydney Symphony Orchestra;– Sydney Theatre Company; and– The Australian Ballet.“ I started here 27 years ago, before the Opera House was opened. I was asupernumerary in War and Peace, the first show ever staged here. It was veryexciting. I’d never done anything like that. I was in five scenes and had five costumechanges. As well as that I was doing front of house. I’ve loved it all, and that’s whyI’ve stayed – the people, the companionship and all that’s on here.”GAVIN CARRAGHERFRONT OF HOUSE(GAVIN WAS A MEMBER OF THE AUSTRALIAN OLYMPIC TEAM INMELBOURNE IN 1956. HE COMPETED IN THE MEN’S 100 METREAND THE 4 x 100 METRE RELAY.)2829
Page 1: www.soH.nsw.Gov.auMAKING THE HOUSE
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