Earlier this summer, the Sydney Opera House hosted its first-ever mass sleepover during the live performance and telecast of British-German composer Max Richter's eight-hour piece Sleep. "Feel free to sleep through it, or not—there are no rules," Richter told the 158-member audience, many of whom arrived for the 11:30 p.m. start time already dressed in pajamas. Guests were all provided camp beds for the night.
Fast forward three months and the Sydney Opera House Trust has submitted a development proposal that includes a clause which would open six locations in the opera house—including the glamorous Utzon Room and the Joan Sutherland Theater foyers—to slumber parties for a limited number of guests five times a year.
The point of it all? "To provide a unique opportunity for the community to experience the iconic Sydney Opera House in new and innovative ways" and "to shift perspectives on a well-known public institution, encourage people to visit more often and engage more deeply," the proposal says. In short: to generate renewed interest and support for one of the country's most important cultural epicenters—opera might not appeal to everyone, but opera + sleepovers? Bingo.
But that's not all. The opera house's trust recently revealed that beginning in 2019, it will be undertaking the most extensive planned renovations project since the building opened in 1973. The new plans include an updated Concert Hall with a 3-D sound system, improved acoustics and air conditioning, improved access and community education and outreach facilities, and overhauled foyers and entryways. The overhaul is expected to take 18 months—during which the Sutherland Theater will shutter for half a year (the rest of the opera house will remain open).
"It is our responsibility as custodians of this extraordinary place to maintain and renew it for all Australians," Troy Grant, NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for the Arts, told the press earlier this month. "That’s why we are investing more than $200 million in these wonderful projects, which represent the biggest upgrade to the Opera House since it opened 43 years ago." Now, about those sleepovers—who's bringing the popcorn?
