Kings Cross Theatre moving to Broadway

After six sensational years in the heart of Kings Cross the KXT Theatre is moving into the heart of the city to create a brand new theatre.

KXT will now be located at 181 Broadway, heritage listed grand old 1890 sandstone bank sitting on the corner of Broadway and Mountain Street. Located just a short walk from Central Station, with buses at the door, a few minutes from Spice Alley, Glebe Point Rd, pubs and cafes, with handy free parking up the road this new venue will reinvigorate KXT.

Over the coming weeks Shannon and the team at The Rock & The Leaf will rebuilding KXT on the ground floor, surrounded by vaulted ceilings and arched windows, complete with Juliet balcony.

The new Broadway location won’t simply feature a single main room theatre. KXT will expand their presence on  the Sydney theatre scene by also taking over the downstairs level of the old bank vault to create a home for year-round artist support programs, community engagement and showcases.

KXT on Broadway will allow the company to build a theatre that meets the needs of artists and audience rather than the needs of a pub, as was the case at their previous home. All though much will change much will stay the same with KXT vowing to “hang onto all the things you love about KXT: the traverse layout, 80 seats, funky foyer, art gallery, even the old wooden chairs.” The biggest changes to the theatre environment will be high ceilings, new cabling, level access and storage. Behind the scenes the new theatre will have expanded dressing rooms, kitchen and foyer facilities.

In 2021 productions at KXT were nominated for 16 Sydney Theatre Awards in nine categories across five productions, and led the way on the night, winning seven awards for independent theatre across three productions. Key to the venue’s success and unique to KXT was a broad program of Artist Support, with the team investing heavily in the next generation of arts leaders. This included new writing programs; mentoring support and opportunities for some of the city’s most exciting emerging artists; showcase seasons for new companies; and venue takeovers by emerging producers. The Vault at KXT will be a catalyst for the expansion of this critical work.

KXT Creative Director Suzanne Millar said of the move, “KXT on Broadway allows us to build a new home in the heart of the city, expanding our thriving and successful program of main stage seasons, artist support, and showcase opportunities. At a time when a number of the city’s much-loved small venues have been forced to close, bAKEHOUSE aims to see independent theatre makers thrive. Our new home means we are able to further support the work and development of the next generation of artists, investing in the future of Australian theatre.

“We’ll continue to deliver our trade mark high risk programming, showcasing young and emerging artists working alongside experienced professionals; featuring new Australian writing and uniquely local stories; prioritising inclusive and representative work; and connecting with community through story telling.”