University Theatres

Octagon Theatre

The Octagon Theatre is an intimate thrust stage venue with 658 tiered seats. The design was based on advice from Sir Tyrone Guthrie.

Versatility is the feature of the venue with stage extensions increasing width to 12 metres or the removal of the thrust stage to allow installation of 100 additional seats. Removing half the stage reveals an orchestra pit.

Facilities include Green room, dressing rooms for 70 cast members and a 120 sq metre rehearsal studio with a sprung floor. A comprehensive lighting and sound rig and large lamp stock ensure most technical requirements can be provided in-house.

The venue's intimacy and excellent sightlines enhance all performance genres. The bar has been refurbished and the entrance designed to enable easier access to the service area for wheelchair patrons.

The Octagon box office has a computer ticketing system linked to major city outlets.

All technical and front of house staff are provided by University Theatres.

Dolphin Theatre

Although primarily used for University theatre productions, the Dolphin is available for commercial hire and among the notable acts that have played the Dolphin are Chamber Made Opera, William Yang and Lenny Henry.The Dolphin has a fly tower and 198 tiered seats. An additional 24 seats can be made available on the side galleries.

A sprung dance floor makes the venue ideal for dance as well as intimate theatre productions. The Dolphin is equipped with in-house theatrical lighting and sound rigs and cyclorama. Dressing room facilities can accommodate a cast of 28.

The air conditioned auditorium was refurbished in 1994 and a licensed bar operates in the foyer.

The venue's intimacy and excellent sightlines enhance all performance genres. The Octagon has hosted Opera, classical and popular music, dance, theatre, stand up comedy and seminars. Notable acts include Steven Berkoff, Paco Pena, Marianne Faithfull, Sean Hughes and the West Australian Opera.

Winthrop Hall

The majestic Winthrop Hall is the jewel in the crown of The University of Western Australia.

Built in 1932, the cathedral-like venue welcomes patrons with a marble and mosaic foyer and vaulted ceilings. The auditorium with its splendid pipe organ combines stained glass windows and Aboriginal motifs on the ceiling.

It seats 974 people in air-conditioned comfort.

Winthrop Hall's bright acoustic is ideal for choral and classical music with the added option of a more intimate recital mode of seating for 674.  It is also a superb venue for formal dinners and functions seating up to 400 people in a banquet mode.

When used in conjunction with the Undercroft exhibition centre downstairs, Winthrop Hall makes an excellent conference venue. Catering can be provided on campus or brought in.

A theatrical lighting rig provides a four-colour wash and specials to the stage for performances. Stage extensions are available to vary the stage area and the organ console can be played off stage if necessary. Tiered choir stalls seat 152.

Winthrop Hall has been used for many prestigious events including the Rally Australia Ball, productions by the West Australian Opera and Oz Opera, the Choir of Kings College, Cambridge, and the West Australian Symphony Orchestra.

Undercroft

The Undercroft is an excellent display or exhibition area.

It is located directly beneath Winthrop Hall.

Panelled glass walls provide excellent views to the gardens of the campus.

With some 480 square metres of floor space, the Undercroft can also be used for informal functions accommodating 500 for a standing event and 300 for a sit-down lecture.

Somerville Auditorium

In 1927, Somerville conceived the idea of a venue defined by a cathedral of Norfolk pine trees. Today the venue is best known for the Perth International Arts Festival's Lotterywest Film Season from November through to April each year.

With accommodation for 1000 patrons on deckchair-style seats as well as 200 grass seats, there is no better venue to enjoy a film on a warm Perth evening.

Picnicking has become a traditional part of the pre-film entertainment and is a great way to soak up the ambience. The Somerville is licensed with a comprehensive bar, has delicious dinner options, snacks, gourmet ice-creams and coffee.

The venue is also renowned for the annual In the Pines music festival organised by local community radio station RTR FM.

Sunken Garden

The Sunken Garden was originally a sand quarry used for the construction of the Hackett buildings on campus.

It has been transformed into an intimate amphitheatre with gardens, ponds and terraced lawns and is now a feature of the University's beautiful campus.

For most of the year the Sunken Garden is an idyllic retreat for staff, students and wedding functions, but in the summer months it can be converted into an exceptional performing arts venue.

The venue is equipped with digital dimmers and a permanent patch panel and lighting sockets to facilitate theatrical lighting. Sound requirements can be installed as required. The Sunken Garden can accommodate 300 people on the grassed area or 385 seated. A mobile licensed bar caters for the patrons.

Dance, drama and music productions have been successfully staged in the Sunken Garden, among the most notable were Ochres by Bangarra Dance Theatre and the very popular children's production by Barking Gecko Theatre Company, The Frog Opera.

 New Fortune Theatre

Based on the layout of the original Fortune Playhouse (London, c. 1600), this theatre is an ideal venue for reproducing Shakespearean-era plays in their unique performance space.

Located within the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, the theatre also makes a unique setting for dance, drama and music.

The theatre can seat up to 508 patrons on four levels around the stage.