MEDIA RELEASE 26 JUNE 2023
Parramatta’s Riverside Theatres has reached a significant major milestone, recording its highest gross box office result in 35 years with a sell-out season of Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap.
The show which has been produced by John Frost for Crossroads Live Australia and directed by Australian theatre icon Robyn Nevin, is touring major centres across Australia, including Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. More than 156,000 people have seen the show since it opened at Theatre Royal Sydney in October last year.
City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Sameer Pandey said the box-office record reflects Parramatta’s growing popularity as an arts and cultural precinct.
“This box office record fits perfectly into our goals and ambitions to make Parramatta CBD a go-to destination after dark and provides confidence in building our multi-billion-dollar night-time economy,” Cr Pandey said.
“We are committed to developing our city into a thriving arts and a cultural destination and look forward to working with major Australian and international producers and arts companies to realise our vision in the years ahead.”
Riverside Theatres Director Craig McMaster said it’s a key moment for both Parramatta and the world-famous play.
“The Mousetrap’s record-breaking Parramatta season has seen the show attract visitors from across Greater Sydney and regional NSW to enjoy the fabulous theatre, dining and experiences the City of Parramatta has to offer,” Mr McMaster said.
“As we head towards Riverside’s major redevelopment, The Mousetrap’s success further demonstrates that the demand and market exist for a world-class theatre centre capable of successfully staging major commercial productions in Western Sydney, and we can’t wait to deliver our new venues this growing audience.”
The Mousetrap Producer John Frost said it’s an exciting moment.
“We’re thrilled that the sell-out success of The Mousetrap around Australia has continued at Riverside Theatres Parramatta,” Mr Frost said.
“Audiences in Western Sydney, like the rest of the country, have shown they are keen to attend high quality productions, and we look forward to bringing more commercial plays and musicals to Parramatta and Sydney’s west.”
