Sydney Day 3

Joe and I woke early for one of my most anticipated activities in Sydney. At 06:45 we arrived at The Opera House

for the Backstage Tour. There are lots of tours of the Opera House but this one is special. It is limited to 12 and is only offered certain days at 07:00 so that operations are not interfering and is an unfettered tour.

What a fascinating venue. Six performance spaces, each with its unique characteristics. Many memories of my high school technical theatre days, although a lot has changed.

Having turned 50 a few years ago there have been major renovations including a lot of cable!

Most scenery is stored off sight until needed for a production. It is brought in by truck to an underground loading dock and then moved to the ground level by elevator.

The Orchestra Pit in the Joan Sutherland Theatre

The conductor platform is adjustable for height. The names on the tape represent true many conductors who work in the Joan Sutherland Theatre

Looking above the stage in the concert hall

The rigging for the theatre. I am posting this because this is how I remember it from my Stage Crew days. But apparently this type is antique! Imagine that!

The tour was over two hours, included the four venues and a lot of backstage areas, including a dressing room. A lot of the dressing rooms have windows that overlook the harbor.

The tour finished with brekkie in the green room. There is a full service cafe for the staff and performers.

And after the tour we traveled by ferry to a spot on Kings wharf near the shuttle bus stop.

A view of The Opera House from the ferry. Those reading the blog may now begin to realize that I am amazed by this building.

A full morning led to afternoon rest so the evening fun could happen. My friend Carol and I attended the Sydney Mardi Gras LGBTQI+ parade. What a spectacle! After a three hour wait securing space in front we watched for a little over a hour with intermittent rain and then sought refuge in a local pub.