COVID-19: Updates

Yes. The current Public Health Order permits live performance venues to open, with physical distancing measures to be in place. This means our shows will have smaller audience numbers to ensure the capacity does not exceed the one person per 4 square metres of space rule. 
 
Entry to the theatre is only possible when shows are on, with a valid ticket. 
 
We will continually monitor and respond to Public Health Orders. 

Yes. The café is open, offering table service with reduced capacity to meet the current Government guidelines. Read more about the café opening hours.

Yes. The theatre bar will be open one hour prior to performance start times. To comply with the current Public Health Orders, all patrons must be seated in the bar, foyer or auditorium.

The ticket office will notify patrons directly of any event changes or cancellations. We will maintain up to date information about cancelled and postponed performances on our website and announce changes on our Facebook page. Find out more about show updates.

Information about the refund process for Civic Theatre tickets sold via Ticketek can be found on the Ticketek website.

Information about the refund process for Civic Theatre tickets sold via the Civic Theatre Ticket Office can be found in our Terms and Conditions. If you have further questions you may phone the Ticket Office on (02) 4929 1977.

Patrons must not attend a performance if they are sick, have been overseas, or to an area where a current COVID-19 outbreak is known, in the previous fortnight. 

Patrons who are unwell will not be able to attend the event, and a full refund will be provided. 

Refunds or exchange of tickets will be available to any customer who has developed any COVID-19 symptoms after the purchase of tickets, or who has come into contact with anyone who is symptomatic or a confirmed case. 

We have adopted a staged approach to reopening based on Public Health Order requirements.  

We will initially restrict numbers to a lower level than our total allowable audience capacity so that we are able to control audience flow and avoid risk factors to ensure our customers feel safe coming back to the Theatre.  

We currently accommodate an audience capacity of 150 people in the Civic Theatre and up to 50 people at one time in the Playhouse.

From 1 October onwards, we will accommodate an audience capacity of 500 people in the Civic Theatre and up to 80 people at one time in the Playhouse.

This capacity ensures the 4 square metres of space per person can be achieved. The capacity also allows our visitors to comfortably move about the space, while maintaining 1.5m physical distance from other members of the public. 

If you book tickets together on the one transaction you will be seated together. 

You will receive pre-show information from the venue about our COVID-safe procedures. 
 
Once you are in the theatre, you will notice seating will allow for physical distancing. 

We reserve the right to make changes to seating arrangements to comply with the Public Health Order. 

Seating will be allocated by the Venue based on the size of the group, time of booking and venue configuration, to allow compliance with current social distancing requirements. 

Tickets will be issued in a digital, PDF format, and will be sent by email to the ticket purchaser. 

Patrons must either print their PDF ticket/s or ensure their ticket/s are available on their phones for scanning 

No tickets will be mailed or held for collection at the Venue. 

Yes. The Ticket Office at 375 Hunter Street will be open Monday to Friday from 10am - 2pm. Tickets may also be booked online at www.civictheatrenewcastle.com.au or by phone (02) 4929 1977. 

The Theatre is only open when a show is on. If attending a show at the Civic Theatre or Playhouse, you will need to have purchased a ticket and comply with our COVID-19 safe plan as outlined above. 

The Civic Digest café is open and offering quality food and beverages. No ticket is required for visiting the café. 

The Civic Theatre team have developed a COVID-19 safe plan in conjunction with the City of Newcastle Emergency Response Team and in line with the Government guidelines. The Civic Theatre team will monitor the movements, attendance numbers, compliance, and comfort levels of the public. Front of House staff will be onsite to assist patrons. 

Patrons acknowledge that while the Venue has taken all reasonable health and safety precautions to keep the audience, staff and performers safe, patrons enter the Venue at their own risk without recourse to claim against the Venue regarding health outcomes.