For the first time, Sydney’s most famous building will be in reach for people
from Sydney’s
less-well-heeled suburbs.
With ticket prices
subsidised by the Balnaves Foundation, the Opera House plans to take the scheme
to the far reaches of the city in the next three years.
“I’ve never
seen the inside of the Opera House”, said Win Long, of Redfern, who is
looking forward to her next concert on Thursday night.
“Nobody can
afford to go. So many people are very excited,” she said.
To qualify for the
scheme, grass roots arts patrons have to prove they need a hand getting in the
door by showing a welfare or pension card.
The Opera House has
left it up to local community centres to promote the scheme and manage the
ticket sales.
The next show, one
of eight for the year, is So Rock – by world-renowned comedy cabaret singer Tim
Minchin.
Neil Balnaves, the
media mogul behind the scheme, said the Opera House was the “natural
home” for the cause.
“We are making
it accessible to people who wouldn’t normally get the chance, open it up to the
people of NSW, whose house it really is”, he said.
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,21646782-5001021,00.html
[REDWatch – For more information
in Redfern Waterloo contact The Factory Community Centre on 9698 9569 or
drop in and see them.]