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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 derelict 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 leaving behind 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, the narrow barred windows, the rough sandstone edges that mark the cells and the solid iron doorway. The stone walls and wooden floors keep the simplicity of the space focused on the history that has been and this makes for a very unique venue for many different types of events.
The surrounding courtyards offset the history of the Cell Block Theatre and make a great outdoor entertaining space to supplement the indoor area.
Function room
Cocktail
Theatre
Sit-down
Cell Block
350
250
120
Cell Block Courtyard
250
250
N/A
Gallery Courtyard
400
400
N/A
Project Space
100
80
60