More than 7,700 people have signed an online petition pushing for Sydney's historic Theatre Royal to be re-opened.
It comes just months after peak industry body Live Performance Australia (LPA) called for the NSW Government to take action on the King Street venue, which has been closed since March 2016.
"We’ve delivered our petition to reopen the Theatre Royal to the co-owners, The GPT Group and Dexus," LPA Chief Executive, Evelyn Richardson, said.
"We need a clear statement from the co-owners as to what their plans are, instead of the non-committal responses we have heard to date."
Richardson continues, “The Theatre Royal is a vital part of Sydney’s cultural infrastructure and its future matters for Sydney’s reputation as a great destination for live theatre performances.
"While the Theatre Royal remains closed, our live performance industry is losing hundreds of jobs each year, $35m in box office revenue annually and Sydney theatre-goers are missing out on the chance to see great Australian and international productions. The theatre's closure has already cost the NSW nightlife economy more than $140 million.
“The spotlight is now on The GPT Group and Dexus. It’s time for them to do the right thing and honour the deal agreed back in 1972 with the people of NSW to retain the theatre. It’s time to reopen the Theatre Royal."
