The 2026 theatre season in Sydney promises an exciting array of performances, showcasing the creativity of two significant independent theatre companies: Griffin Theatre Company and Belvoir St Theatre. This collaboration arises as Griffin finds itself without a permanent venue due to renovations at The Stables, its traditional home. The company will temporarily occupy Belvoir’s downstairs theatre while integrating with its programming for the year.
Both companies have a rich history rooted in the Darlinghurst area’s Nimrod Theatre. Griffin Theatre operates from The Stables, while Belvoir moved to its current location on Belvoir Street in the 1970s. Griffin’s artistic director, Declan Greene, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, noting that their audiences have mixed well during shared performances. “We did a show there [at Belvoir] this year, Michelle Lim Davidson’s Koreaboo, and it was great,” Greene said. “Both our audiences got along. There weren’t any fistfights in the foyer.”
Innovative Productions for 2026
Belvoir St Theatre will present a diverse lineup of nine productions, featuring new Australian works, Indigenous narratives, literary adaptations, and classic plays. Griffin Theatre, meanwhile, will stage five productions, including three new Australian works. The collaboration benefits both companies, as Belvoir plans to double its creative development budget thanks to the “reasonable” rent they charge Griffin.
One of the standout productions for Belvoir will be a stage adaptation of E.M. Forster’s classic novel, A Room with a View. Directed by Hannah Goodwin and written by Grace Chapple, this adaptation reflects the duo’s passion for period romances. Chapple carries personal ties to the story, having read the novel during her travels in Europe. She experienced the city of Florence through the lens of the protagonist, Lucy Churchill, a character famously portrayed by Helena Bonham Carter in the 1985 film adaptation by Ivory and Merchant.
“The most striking thing about the book for me is E.M. Forster’s belief in personal relationships, that it’s only our connections with other people that can save us,” Goodwin remarked. “At the heart of the book are two people who connect, fall in love and help each other think and live on their own terms against the pressure of society. Right now, there appears to be an epidemic of loneliness in the world.”
As the theatre community in Sydney prepares for this collaborative season, audiences can expect a vibrant mix of storytelling that resonates with contemporary issues while celebrating the rich tapestry of Australian culture. The 2026 season is shaping up to be a significant moment for both theatre companies, highlighting their commitment to innovative productions and community engagement.
