National Art School - The Cell Block

The Cell Block Theatre at the National Art School is housed on the Old Darlinghurst Gaol site, Sydney’s first permanent gaol.  In 1957 Katherine Hepburn and Robert Helpman started a fund to turn the prison block into a dramatic theatrical venue. After a long period of fundraising and restoration, the internal walls and floors were removed to reveal towering ten-metre high sandstone walls and  an open atmospheric cathedral-like space.

The impression of the old cells still lingers with traces of the curved stone staircases climbing 3 stories high, narrow barred windows, rough sandstone edges that mark the cells and the solid iron doorway. The stone walls and wooden floors keep the simplicity of the space  and this makes for a very unique venue for many different types of events.

The surrounding courtyards offsets the history of the Cell Block Theatre and makes a great outdoor entertaining space to supplement the indoor area.

Image Gallery

 

 

Capacities

Function room Cocktail Theatre Sit-down
Cell Block 300 250 140
Cell Block Courtyard 250 250 N/A
Gallery Courtyard 400 400 N/A
Project Space 100 80 60

Location

National Art School
Forbes Street, Darlinghurst NSW 2010