'It's Fabulous to See Another Venue Pop Up': Famous Sydney Venue Reopens

The Regent Theatre officially reopened its doors with a sold-out show featuring Ian Moss.

The legendary Australian musician took to the stage at the iconic Sydney live music venue over the weekend (May 2nd), opening an exciting new chapter for the theatre.

"It’s just fantastic to be invited to do this, in a world of shrinking festivals and live venues," Moss said after his performance. "It’s fabulous to see another venue pop up, and such an iconic one like the one we have here in the Regent Theatre in Richmond!"

The heritage-listed art deco venue has been restored to its former glory thanks to an extensive multi-million-dollar renovation, injecting new life into the local community.

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Established in 1935, The Regent Theatre (Richmond) has been at the heart of entertaining locals in the Hawkesbury and Greater Western Sydney for 90 years. The venue holds a special place in Australian entertainment history, having once been famously purchased and restored by television legend Mike Walsh in 1976.

"In 1976, I bought The Richmond Regent from another Walsh family who had originally built it in 1935. It was hugely successful during World War II due to the proximity of the Richmond Air Base,  but by the time I stepped in, it was quietly ambling along. The family wasn't quite sure what to do with it, so I called them up and offered to buy it. I spent a great deal restoring the venue, turning it  into both a movie and live entertainment theatre. I wish the current owners all the best for the future of The Richmond Regent," said Walsh.

Following years of deterioration, The Regent was in danger of being lost for good, until new owners stepped in to breathe new life into the theatre.

"Greater Western Sydney is one of the fastest growing urban populations in the country," said owner Duncan MacKay. "We’ve put our heart and soul into bringing The Regent Theatre back to life.  It presents a quality new venue for a market that we understand is hungry for local, domestic and  international touring entertainment. We are thrilled to welcome artists and fans."

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The official reopening weekend kicked off last Friday (May 1st) with a performance by country star Sara Berki as part of Great Southern Nights 2026. Berki was joined by William Alexander and Ellerie Rose on the night.

The Regent Theatre Programming & Venue Consultant, Brett Hlywa of Sound Advice Music, shared his excitement for the venue's future. "To have had a rising talent like Sara Berki and the legendary Ian Moss performing across our opening weekend was a privilege. Our aim is to curate a diverse program of live events that support both emerging and established artists — and connect them with our growing audience in Greater Western Sydney."

New features at The Regent Theatre include a licensed 700+ capacity in the stalls and dress circle; flexible theatre (518 seated) or concert mode (700 standing and seated) configurations with impeccable sight lines; brand new stage, sound, and lighting, along with cinema digital screen projection; artist-friendly dressing rooms, stage access, direct loading and parking; licensed bars in the stalls and dress circle foyers, plus a service bar directly into the stalls; and fully air-conditioned spaces with high-speed internet.

Upcoming performances at the rejuvenated venue include Ben Lee, Kate Ceberano, and Tim Freedman.