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Dates
22 March–21 April 2024
Venue
Fleet Steps, Mrs Macquaries Point, Sydney
Language
Performed in English.
Running time
Approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes, including one interval.
Please note
This production contains strong language, adult themes and a depiction of sexual violence; not recommended for children under the age of 12.
Book 4+ tickets and Save!*
That’s a saving of up to $200 when you book four A-reserve tickets to a performance*.
Simply select the ‘Group of 4+’ price when choosing your seats and your group discount will be automatically applied.
West side story
Based on a conception of JEROME ROBBINS
| Book by ARTHUR LAURENTS |
Music by LEONARD BERNSTEIN |
Lyrics by STEPHEN SONDHEIM |
| Entire Original Production Directed And Choreographed by JEROME ROBBINS |
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| Originally produced on Broadway by Robert E. Griffith and Harold S. Prince By arrangement with Roger L. Stevens |
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| Licensed exclusively by Music Theatre International (Australasia). | ||
Tonight, tonight the world is wild and bright. Going mad, shooting sparks into space!
Musical masterpiece West Side Story exploded onto Broadway in 1957 in a sensational storm of exuberant dance and wistful romance. It was a phenomenon that never faded, “an incandescent piece of work” (The New York Times).
In 2024, the iconic musical returns to Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour in an electrifying, larger-than-life staging. Experience the greatest score ever written for musical theatre, dynamic dance numbers that soar through the open air, and a love story for the ages.
It’s war on New York’s Upper West Side in this modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet. The Jets and the Sharks are locked in a fierce turf battle, but as the two teen gangs hurtle down a dangerous path, Tony and Maria cross enemy lines, dreaming of a time and place where they can love freely.
Leonard Bernstein’s score is punctuated with hits: ‘America’, ‘Tonight’, ‘Maria’, ‘I Feel Pretty’, and the enduring ‘Somewhere’.
Opera and musical theatre great Francesca Zambello directs a production that revels in all that’s beautiful about West Side Story, with designers Brian Thomson and Jennifer Irwin transforming Sydney into a slice of New York.
See why this staging became the highestselling ever on the harbour-top stage, delighting audiences and critics. Limelight called it “a wonderful production that uses the large, outdoor space cleverly, thrills with its electrifying choreography and catchy, complex score ★★★★½”.
If you’ve never been to Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour, prepare for a remarkable night out. Arrive early to enjoy the sun setting over Sydney Harbour as you raise a glass and drink in the view at one of the five pop-up bars and restaurants on site. Then take your place in the grandstand by the water to enjoy the enthralling show, complete with live orchestra hidden beneath the dramatic stage and fireworks in the balmy night air.
“A wonderful production that uses the large, outdoor space cleverly, thrills with its electrifying choreography and catchy, complex score ★★★★½”
Limelight
Make your evening extra special
The HSBC Platinum Club
Add a taste of luxury to your evening with pre-performance drinks and fine dining.
Enjoy exclusive access to an undercover pop-up restaurant and bar with uninterrupted views overlooking Sydney Harbour, exclusive menus, superior NSW wines, five-star table service, and dedicated restrooms.
Get to know the production
Cheat Sheet: West Side Story on Sydney Harbour
Everything you need to know about one of the greatest musicals of all time.
What happens in the story? What should I expect from the music? Here’s everything you need to know…
7 reasons to see West Side Story on Sydney Harbour
Thinking about spending a night under the stars with a musical masterpiece? Here’s what to expect at Sydney’s best night out!
Leonard Bernstein: 8 intriguing insights into the Maestro
The iconic maestro, best known for West Side Story, was not merely a conductor and composer; he was a force of musical innovation and cultural influence.
The history of Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour
From La Traviata to The Phantom of the Opera. Find out more about the spectacular 10-year history of Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour, and discover extraordinary behind-the-scenes stories.
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour - West Side Story (2019)
Photographer: Hamilton Lund
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour
The experience
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour - West Side Story (2024)
Photographer: Keith Saunders
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour
The experience
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour - West Side Story (2024)
Photographer: Keith Saunders
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour - West Side Story (2024)
Photographer: Keith Saunders
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour
The experience
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour - West Side Story (2024)
Photographer: Keith Saunders
Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour - West Side Story (2024)
Photographer: Keith Saunders
Cast & Creative
Director
Musical Director
Associate Director
Revival Choreographer
Set Design
Costume Design
Lighting Design
Sound Design
Revival Sound Designer
Intimacy Coordinator
Tony
Maria
Anita
Riff
Bernardo
Standby Tony
Standby Maria
Opera Australia Orchestra
Doc
Schrank
Officer Krupke
Gladhand
The Jets
The Sharks
Swing
Frequently Asked Questions
Aida on Sydney Harbour is located at Fleet Steps, Mrs Macquaries Point, Sydney.
If you’re arriving by train, bus or ferry and planning to walk through the Royal Botanic Garden, please note that access through the Gardens closes at 6.30pm in March and 6pm in April.
Please note that a marine exclusion zone is in place for the duration of the event.
Mrs Macquaries Road, leading into the venue, is likely to experience traffic congestion. We highly recommend avoiding this road by catching public transport or Water Taxis, or parking in surrounding car parks.
Public transport
If you are planning to walk through the Royal Botanic Garden, please note that access through the Gardens closes at 6.30pm in March and 6pm in April.
The nearest train stations are:
St James: approximately a 16-minute walk* (1.3 km)
Martin Place: approximately an 18-minute walk* (1.5 km)
Circular Quay: approximately a 29-minute walk* (2.3 km)
*These linked maps and estimated walk times use routes outside of The Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney. If you're walking before the Garden gates close (prior to 6.30pm in March and 6pm in April), using a route through the Garden will save time.
All schedules, times and dates can be viewed at the transportnsw.info.
Water Taxi
H2O Water Taxis operate between 5pm and 7.30pm, departing from Man O'War Jetty near the Sydney Opera House and arriving at the Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool Wharf, Woolloomooloo, just a 5-minute walk from the venue.
Following the performance, return services operate back to Man O'War Jetty.
Water taxi fares are $20 each way. You can add water taxi transfers to your booking at any time by logging into your account or by contacting our Box Office.
Find out more information and view drop-off and pick-up points here.
Parking
The Domain Car Park is the closest car park, approximately a 10 to 12 minute walk to the venue. The car park is open 24 hours, with Mobility Parking Scheme spaces located at the northern end of the ground floor.
Metered parking is also available along Mrs Macquaries Road, Hospital Road and Macquarie Street, with payment by credit card or mobile phone.
Please note: Art Gallery Road can become heavily congested before and after performances. If arranging pick up or drop off, we recommend choosing an alternative meeting point.
Aida on Sydney Harbour is an open-air and all-weather event
The venue, audience seating, and the stage are completely uncovered. The event is an all-weather experience and we are committed to going ahead with a performance of Aida on Sydney Harbour even in doubtful or unfavourable weather conditions. Please come prepared so that you are as comfortable as possible, and ready to support the performers, who will carry on singing in the rain.
Bring warm and waterproof clothing
Sydney weather is full of surprises so we recommend that you dress with this in mind and bring warm, weatherproof clothing. Please note that although umbrellas can be brought to the venue, out of consideration for other members of the audience they cannot be used during the performance.
Ponchos
Biodegradable ponchos will be available to purchase at the event. Once disposed of, the poncho takes about a year to break down and become a protein of the ecosystem.
Ticket exchanges
You may call our box office on +61 2 9318 8200 to exchange your tickets. You must request an exchange or refund at least two working days before the Event. We will only exchange or refund your tickets in our sole discretion or as required by law.
You can also exchange your tickets online, or receive a credit voucher for the value of your tickets, right up until the start of the performance.
Performance pauses and cancellations
We will only cancel a performance during electrical storms (within 10km radius) or during times of extremely high winds and/or rain. We will not cancel a performance until 7:30pm or later. We may decide to cancel a performance once the show is underway. Please plan to travel to the venue for a 7:30pm performance start time even in unfavourable weather conditions.
In some weather conditions, we may delay the start time of Aida on Sydney Harbour or pause for up to 50 minutes at any point throughout the performance.
Auxiliary expenses including travel, accommodation or hospitality which you have arranged in conjunction with the performance are at your own risk and Opera Australia cannot refund these.
Accessible Seating
Aida on Sydney Harbour has wheelchair and companion seating allocations available.
Customers requiring the wheelchair and/or companion seating should contact the Opera Australia customer service team on 02 9318 8200, Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm. Wheelchair and companion seating can only be booked over the phone.
The best seats for persons with limited mobility who are not wheelchair users are in the first 5 rows of sections A–H.
When patrons enter the venue via ‘Entry (Sections A–H)’ they will walk downhill to their seats and then up a few stairs to seats in higher rows if seats are not booked in row A. Upon exiting the venue, the path is uphill and persons with limited mobility may consider requesting the use of a Aida on Sydney Harbour wheelchair and assistance if required
Assistance Animals
Assistance animals trained to assist people with disability are welcome at Aida on Sydney Harbour. Please phone our box office on 02 9318 8200 to make your booking so we can allocate you appropriate seating.
Courtesy wheelchairs
Patrons requiring a wheelchair should make contact with the onsite Box Office who will arrange for a transfer to allocated seating by wheelchair.
Lift access
There is a lift available for wheelchair users or people with limited mobility.
The lift provides access from Ground level (bottom of the grandstand) to level 1 (HSBC Platinum Club).
Stairs
If you have difficulties with stairs, we advise purchasing tickets in the first five (5) rows of sections A to H to minimise the number of stairs you must climb. When booking via the phone, please let our box office staff know so you can be seated in this area to best suit your mobility requirements. Our ushers are also very helpful, so please ask them for assistance.
Refer to Access Guide which includes venue step count and surface description to assist with choosing your seats.
We recognise the needs of breastfeeding parents but are unable to provide dedicated parent facilities at Aida on the Harbour. All children (including infants) attending the event are required to have their own ticket, available for purchase online, over the phone, or at the box office. If the event team can offer any additional assistance regarding breastfeeding at Aida on Sydney Harbour, please phone our box office on (02) 9318 8200.
There are five bar and restaurant areas at Aida on Sydney Harbour with a range of options.
The site opens at 5pm so you can enjoy a drink and some food while you watch the sun set over the harbour.
Enjoy Sunset Happy Hour on the Harbour!*
Selected wines, beers and cocktails from $10. Available 5–6pm at all major bars onsite, excluding HSBC Platinum Club.
With five pop-up restaurants and roving bars on site, there’s an option to suit every appetite and budget:
- HSBC Platinum Club
- Southern Terrace
- Garden Bar
Please don’t bring a picnic. Only food and beverages purchased on site can be consumed within the venue.
There’s no compulsory dress code. Wear what you’ll feel comfortable in and make sure you wear sensible shoes, as you will have to walk up and down stairs to reach your seats.
Sydney weather is full of surprises so we recommend that you dress with this in mind and bring warm, weatherproof clothing.
Purchase your tickets through authorised ticket sellers.
Opera Australia is the primary ticket seller for Aida on Sydney Harbour. Tickets are also available through authorised partners, including Sydney Opera House, Ticketmaster and Headout.
Tickets purchased through unauthorised sellers may be cancelled. Opera Australia reserves the right to cancel tickets purchased for more than 10% above their original price through unauthorised resellers.
Unauthorised sellers include, but are not limited to, Viagogo, Tickets Australia, Ticket Merchant, Ticket Blaster, TicketBis, Ticketmaster Resale, Queen of Tickets, eBay and Gumtree.
Tickets purchased through unauthorised sellers may be invalid and entry to the venue may be refused. We will also cancel forged or fraudulent tickets, including duplicate copies of the same ticket.
There are an increasing number of unauthorised ticket resale websites operating online. To avoid disappointment, please ensure you purchase through an authorised seller. If you have any questions about the validity of your tickets, contact our Box Office on 02 9318 8200 or email customerservice@opera.org.au.
For more information about ticket reselling, visit the NSW Fair Trading. website.
Feel alive in Sydney
Explore fine dining and cocktail bars around The Rocks, Circular Quay and Woolloomooloo to excite your senses.
Strategic Sponsors

Naming Rights Partner

Patron-in-Chief
Dr Haruhisa Handa
Principal Partner

Official Airline Partner

Official Hotel Partner

*Group 4+ discount available on all performances excluding opening, closing, Good Friday, and Saturday performances. Saving of $200 on four A Reserve tickets available on Friday performances only.