OPENING NIGHT at Sydney Festival Cancelled

Sydney Festival has today announced the cancellation of theatre production Opening Night, starring French actress Isabelle Adjani.

Due to health concerns related to fire-affected air quality in Sydney, the company behind the production has chosen to cancel its appearance at the Festival.

“On behalf of the people of Sydney, we are extremely disappointed,” said Sydney Festival Director Wesley Enoch. “We have been in constant communication with all international and Australian based companies in relation to any concerns arising from the current fire situation in NSW and we have been buoyed by their responses.”

“Overwhelmingly, individual artists and companies – both local and from overseas – have responded by asking how they can help or what they can do to support relief efforts once they are on the ground in Sydney for the festival,” Enoch explains.

“The arts community understands the importance of carrying on and also acknowledges the powerful role that art, culture and the act of coming together can play at a time like this.” He adds: “Unfortunately, despite our best efforts and assurances, the Opening Night team has chosen not to come.”

All ticket holders for Opening Night will be refunded in full.

Sydney Festival opens this Wednesday 8 January. A special bushfire appeal concert, featuring a mix of Sydney Festival 2020 artists and their friends, will be held on Saturday 11 January at the Metro Theatre, with all proceeds going to the Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Appeal and WIRES – Australia’s largest wildlife rescue organisation.