Summary
A Model Murder is one of Sydney Festival’s most immersive theatre productions, combining gripping true-crime storytelling with the historic atmosphere of the Darlinghurst Courthouse. As a heritage-listed venue, the courthouse provided a striking backdrop, requiring a staging solution that seamlessly integrated into the space while enhancing the audience experience.
- Client: Sydney Festival
- Event: A Model Murder
- Location: Darlinghurst Courthouse, Sydney
- Audience: 2,100 attendees over 14 sold-out performances
- Seamless staging integration in a 19th-century heritage venue.
- Custom modular staging enhanced immersion and aesthetics.
- Fully compliant with heritage regulations, with no permanent impact.
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The Challenge
Staging a True-Crime Drama in a Historic Courthouse
Built in 1835, Darlinghurst Courthouse is a landmark of Sydney’s legal and architectural history. Originally designed by Mortimer Lewis, the sandstone courthouse has witnessed some of the city’s most infamous trials, including the 1954 case that inspired A Model Murder. Today, the courthouse remains a functional legal space and an important heritage site.
Key Challenges:
- Heritage Preservation: Staging had to respect the courthouse’s original sandstone interiors, timber fittings, and high ceilings, ensuring no permanent modifications or damage.
- Immersive Theatricality: The production blurred the lines between theatre and reality, requiring a flexible stage setup that allowed actors and audience members to interact seamlessly.
- Limited Setup Time: As an active venue, the courthouse allowed only a narrow window for installation and removal, demanding a highly efficient staging solution.
The Solution: Megadeck’s Expertise in Heritage Venue Staging
Megadeck’s team worked meticulously to honor the courthouse’s legacy while delivering a functional, immersive stage for A Model Murder. How Megadeck Brought the Courtroom to Life:
- Non-Invasive Modular Staging – Designed to fit within the courthouse’s existing structure without drilling, bolting, or altering any original features.
- Heritage-Sensitive Materials & Finishes – Custom staging elements that complemented the venue’s natural sandstone tones and historical ambiance.
- Smart Load Distribution – Ensuring staging weight was evenly spread to protect delicate flooring and foundations.
- Efficient Installation & Removal – A carefully coordinated overnight build and pack-down process to avoid disrupting the courthouse’s operations.