Arts and music

From the centre of Perth to the furthest corners of the state, West Australian Symphony Orchestra (WASO) has provided the soundtrack to life in Western Australia since 1928.<br/><br/>As the State Orchestra, Perth's first and finest, WASO is the largest employer of performing artists in WA and reaches two million people with musical experiences each year on stage, in the community and online.<br/><br/>From concert halls to classrooms, hospitals to aged care, they bring joy, inspire learning and nurture participation in the community because everybody deserves the opportunity to experience live music. Every year, through community and leading industry partnerships, they engage a new generation of young and emerging artists to help secure a bright future for music in Australia.<br/><br/>They celebrate Western Australia's rich classical music heritage with great artists from all over the world and commission and perform new repertoire to renew and expand it. The Orchestra collaborates widely with major arts companies and independent artists, performing opera to ballet, movies to musicals, jazz to rock. They champion the diversity of music in all its forms with a team of talented and passionate people who create unforgettable experiences for all West Australians to enjoy. <br/><br/>Asher Fisch is Principal Conductor and Artistic Adviser of the Orchestra and they are proud to call Perth Concert Hall home.

West Australian Opera was established in 1967 and has been Western Australia’s only full-time, professional opera company for over 50 years. Their dream is to present opera that moves you, enchants you and makes you think about the magic of being alive in the world today.<br/><br/>West Australian Opera seeks to speak to the heart through the human voice and to share the joy of music through opera and the powerful stories opera tells.<br/><br/>The company presents operas drawn from the mainstream operatic repertoire and are involved in the commissioning and developing of new work. They offer an annual season package to mainstage productions as well as operatic events in metropolitan and regional Western Australia.<br/><br/>Visit their website to find out more about their performances.

As Australia’s longest established ballet company and Western Australia’s leading dance organisation, West Australian Ballet has presented excellence and innovation in classical and modern ballet since 1952.<br/><br/>West Australian Ballet was established by Madame Kira Bousloff, a Ballerina with the Ballets Russes - the first ballet company formed in Australia that is still in existence today. <br/><br/>Since its formation, West Australian Ballet have developed an impressive reputation for superior classical and contemporary ballet and contemporary dance of the highest level. Its repertoire continues to develop steadily; classical ballet forming the foundation for the Company’s vocabulary, combined with a distinct contemporary outlook on the artform. West Australian Ballet stages full length classical ballets, narrative ballets and shorter works and encompasses a variety of choreographic styles, enriching lives through dance with seasons at His Majesty's Theatre.<br/><br/>They offer an extensive program of dance throughout the year with three to four major seasons in Perth, regional touring throughout Western Australia, choreographic workshops, an extensive education program and other community activities. <br/><br/>Visit their website for more information on their performances.

The Arts and Culture Trust manages and operates several cultural venues in Western Australia including His Majesty's Theatre, State Theatre Centre of Western Australia, Subiaco Arts Centre, and Albany Entertainment Centre.<br/><br/>The Trust’s venues are used by local, national and international performing arts companies, performers and artists.<br/><br/>Funded arts organisations presenting regular seasons in Trust venues include the Barking Gecko Theatre Company, Black Swan State Theatre Company, Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company, West Australian Ballet and West Australian Opera, as well as the Perth International Arts Festival. <br/><br/>They look forward to bringing you world-class cultural events. Visit their website to find out more about their venues and what's on.

The Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) is recognised nationally and internationally for the quality of its graduates. <br/><br/>WAAPA graduates excel in their chosen professions around the world, confirming the Academy's well-earned reputation. Many well-known actors, dancers, musicians and music theatre stars including Hugh Jackman, Frances O’Connor, Marcus Graham, William McInnes, Lisa McCune, Lucy Durack, Rachelle Durkin, Emma Matthews, Jamie Oehlers, Eddie Perfect and Tim Minchin, have called WAAPA home.<br/><br/>Every year, students, staff and critically-acclaimed guest artists collaborate to present over 300 public performances – more productions and more diversity than any other arts training institution in Australia. Many of these performances take place in WAAPA venues at Edith Cowan University, but an increasing number of exciting community partnerships enable them to perform in a wider range of venues.

Housed in a large and striking heritage building in the heart of Perth, Western Australia, Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA) is the city’s focal point for those wishing to experience the best of Australian and international visual, performance and interdisciplinary art.<br/><br/>PICA is both a producing and presenting institution that runs a year round program of changing exhibitions, seasons in contemporary dance, theatre and performance and a range of interdisciplinary projects. It boasts one of the largest and most breath-taking exhibition spaces in Australia and has become known for the leading role it plays in the presentation of significant new work.<br/><br/>PICA’s key aim is to promote, support and present contemporary arts and to stimulate critical discussion around the arts and broader cultural issues. Providing a site for experimentation, critical analysis, discussion and debate is fundamental to its charter. PICA is known for the rigour and breadth of its artistic and education programs, high production standards and impeccable presentation.<br/><br/>In many aspects of its operations, PICA might be understood as an incubator: providing resources, mentoring and support for both emerging and mature artists whilst promoting new and emerging ideas, forms and practices to the broader community.<br/><br/>

Housing the Heath Ledger Theatre, named after late Perth-born Hollywood actor Heath Ledger, this 575-capacity theatre is part of a defining architectural landmark in the city; home to the Black Swan State Theatre Company and Co3 Australia.<br/><br/>Designed by award-winning Kerry Hill Architects, the State Theatre Centre’s design delivers a building that not only provides a functional and inspiring venue for performers and their audiences but has also become an instantly recognisable part of the city. Two interactive, visually and audibly stunning artworks ‘Falling from Heaven to Earth, the Shooting Star’ and ‘Interval’ are part of the physical structure using current technology to connect the history of the site with its present and future.<br/><br/>The Centre hosts contemporary performing arts, such as theatre, dance and music with a focus on distinctive professional and contemporary work produced locally, nationally and internationally.

Catch some of the best new independent contemporary performances, and the hottest Fringe World events at The Blue Room Theatre in Northbridge - a spot for local, national and international art, fashion and culture since the 1990s.<br/><br/>Choose from a diverse year-round program of events and shows, and discover a new generation of performers and cultural luminaries. With a reputation for nurturing the best and brightest new acts, performers and artists, the theatre has been instrumental in helping to launch the careers of an impressive roll-call of talent.<br/><br/>After the show, you can feast on an equally rich multicultural melting pot of flavours in the bustling cafes, restaurants and bars of Northbridge.<br/><br/>You’ll find the theatre in the heart of Northbridge, a minute’s walk from Perth Cultural Centre and five minutes from Perth train station, or you can hop on the free Blue CAT bus in Perth's central business district.

Black Swan State Theatre Company of Western Australia exists to create brave and playful conversations. For You. About You. With You.<br/><br/>Founded in 1991, the company has earned both critical and popular acclaim for its world premiere productions and highly distinctive reinterpretations of international theatre classics – all of which are infused with the unique culture of Western Australia.<br/><br/>They provide an annual program of inclusive and accessible theatre productions, commissions and learning experiences, live and on-line, for the people of Perth, across the state of Western Australia and increasingly nationally and internationally.

Crown Theatre is the ultimate venue for world-class performances and major theatrical productions in Perth. <br/><br/>Featuring an impressive and spacious two-tiered auditorium with seating for up to 2,260 people, it hosts some of the largest productions to tour in Western Australia. There are shows for every taste with musicals, music, dance, comedy, illusionists and more. <br/><br/>Situated within the Crown Perth entertainment precinct, there are a variety of pre and post-show dining options, activities and accommodation to choose from. From premium restaurants delivering world-class fine-dining experiences to casual eateries offering a more relaxed vibe, it's home to some of the best bars and restaurants in Perth. <br/><br/>Crown Perth is located on the eastern banks of the Swan River, just minutes from the Central Business District and both domestic and international airports. The complex is easily accessible by public transport and has many on-site parking options.

His Majesty's Theatre opened on Christmas Eve, 1904 and in 2024 celebrated its 120th anniversary!<br/><br/>The Edwardian era architecture is amazing - tours are available and a great way to learn about the history or see behind the scenes!<br/><br/>This is a working theatre, so check out what's on and catch a show! A variety of genres are offered, including comedy, music, dance, opera, musicals, and theatre. The theatre takes pride in being the home of the West Australian Opera and West Australian Ballet companies, offering the community world-class productions that enrich the city's cultural tapestry.<br/><br/>In 2021, a project commenced to reinstate the original façade of His Majesty's, restoring the splendour of the balconies on the Dress Circle and Upper Circle levels. This labour of love spanned two years, culminating in the theatre's restoration to its former grandeur by 2023.<br/><br/>The importance of His Majesty's Theatre to the cultural fabric of Western Australia is reflected in its inclusion on the State Register of Heritage Places and the Register of the National Estate. It has been named a "State Heritage Icon", and is believed to be the only remaining working Edwardian theatre in Australia.<br/><br/>Located in the Perth centre, His Majesty's Theatre is easily accessible by public transport, with plenty of parking available. There are many great restaurants to dine at before catching a show!

The Astor Theatre is a Mount Lawley institution and has been part of the décor since 1919. The iconic art deco building on Beaufort Street has been used for many forms of entertainment over the years.<br/><br/>The Astor Theatre has not always been known by this name, when it was first opened it was called The Lyceum. The venue has been reinvented over the years and in 1991, the theatre was completely refurbished with many of the past elements remaining today and is now a thriving live entertainment venue.<br/><br/>The Astor Theatre hosts a variety of high quality shows including live music from talented local, national and international artists.

See internationally renowned acts, bands and orchestras and experience the finest music acoustics in the Southern Hemisphere at Perth Concert Hall, home of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra (WASO).<br/><br/>Located on St George’s Terrace, the concert hall is an architectural landmark in the heart of Perth, close to the city’s major hotels and just a 15-minute walk from Elizabeth Quay train station. It’s also on the city’s main bus routes.<br/><br/>Discover some of the 1,731-seat venue’s secrets on a guided backstage-to-upstage tour (gold coin donation). With a rich musical heritage dating back to 1973, the hall has played host an impressive array of orchestras and performers, from the Berlin Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony and Royal Symphony Orchestras, to KD Lang, Michael Bublé, PJ Harvey, Sting, B.B King, Nina Simone and Ray Charles.<br/><br/>Check out the venue’s year-round calendar and choose from of classical and contemporary performances, leaving time on the night to enjoy pre-show or post-show drinks or a meal at the concert hall’s bars and cafe.<br/><br/>