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Theatre Fire: Sets Lost, Spirit Soars
21 Aug
Summary
- A major fire destroyed sets, props, and costumes at Sydney's Belvoir Theatre.
- The company's workshop and its valuable collection of scavenged items were lost.
- Despite setbacks, Belvoir rapidly recreated sets and continues its productions.
A significant fire at its Marrickville storage facility on June 22, 2026, caused extensive damage to Belvoir Theatre's sets, props, and costumes. The blaze, which destroyed the company's workshop, resulted in the loss of tools, equipment, and a unique collection of scavenged materials that fueled their "rough magic" aesthetic.
Workshop staff were unharmed, but the material loss created immediate challenges. The production team swiftly recreated sets for "The Jungle and the Sea" in just 11 days, working in a makeshift space. This rapid response ensured rehearsals continued without interruption, a feat described as "one of those moments where something horrible brings out something wonderful."
Currently, Belvoir is remounting Neil Armfield's 2010 production, "The Book of Everything." While its sets were not destroyed in the fire, reproducing Carpenter's elaborate designs with a tight budget and no workshop has presented new hurdles.
The company, known for its "recycle, repurpose, reuse" ethos, faces long-term financial recalculations to replace its decades-old collection. However, the theatre community has shown strong support, offering space and tools, providing vital encouragement during a difficult period for Australian arts funding.
