Darlinghurst Theatre to Be Renamed as Hayes Theatre

Independent Music Theatre has announced that the new home for Music Theatre and Cabaret in Sydney will be known as the Hayes Theatre. Currently known as the Darlinghurst Theatre in Potts Point, the Hayes Theatre is named after Australian musical theatre legend,Nancye Hayes OAM. IMT anticipates that they will occupy the theatre sometime in early 2014.

Nancye Hayes is one of Australian musical theatre's true triple threats, being a superb dancer, fine singer, actor, and now also a choreographer, director and teacher. She has performed and starred in numerous musicals in Australia such as Promises, Promises,Cabaret, Pippin, Irene, Nine, Sweeney Todd, Chicago,Annie, 42nd Street, Guys and Dolls, Follies in Concert and Showboat to only name a few.

"It is an absolute honour to name the theatre after Nancye Hayes. She is one of the true pioneers of Australian Musical Theatre, and I have had the pleasure of witnessing her extraordinary performances, as well as her astute direction in a large number of productions. My generation of musical theatre practitioners owe a huge debt of gratitude to Nancye Hayes and her contemporaries, and we are thrilled that we can acknowledge her achievements and legacy in this way." said Neil Gooding, IMT Company Director.

Ms Hayes has received many accolades for her contribution to the Australian theatre scene which include two Helpmann awards, Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Variety Club, the Green Room Awards Association and the Sydney Theatre Awards. In 2011 Nancye was honoured to be a recipient of the JC Williamson Award that recognises outstanding contribution to the Australian Live Performance Industry and in 1981 her services to the performing arts were recognised with the Medal of the Order of Australia.

"When Independent Music Theatre approached me about renaming their new venue the Hayes Theatre I was somewhat taken aback," said Nancye Hayes. "However when I was told of their plans to dedicate it to the presentation and nurturing of Music Theatre and Cabaret my enthusiasm, long association and love of this art form made me feel both honoured and excited to accept. If the Hayes Theatre can become the home of new work, reimagined, established and neglected musicals and introduce our audiences to the talents of our writers, performers, creatives and producers as is intended it would give all of us whose careers have spanned many years in the business the greatest of pleasure and purpose."

Independent Music Theatre has been awarded the tender from City of Sydney Council, to take over the theatre which will become the home for Music Theatre and Cabaret in Sydney. Independent Music Theatre is a not-for-profit company made up of an artistic group of cabaret and music theatre specialists.

www.independentmusictheatre.com