Divine Playhouse, a former church turned LGBTQ+ arts venue in Sydney's central business district, is exploring legal action after receiving a breach notice from its landlord that forced organisers to close the space and cancel planned events. The venue, housed in a building deconsecrated in the 1930s, faces possible eviction after religious groups protested its opening night.
Landlord's breach notice
Lawyers for the landlord, commercial property group KCSYD Pty Ltd, issued a notice claiming the venue's trade 'insulted and mocked the sincerely held religious beliefs of millions of Christian Australians'. The notice ordered Heaps Gay Events, the organisers, to stop 'engaging in offensive trade'. More than 5,000 people have signed a Change.org petition backing Divine Playhouse as an inclusive arts venue.
Organiser's response
Kat Dopper, promoter and founder of Heaps Gay Events, said the venue acted in good faith and remains committed to its obligations as tenants. 'The arts have always been a place where people ask difficult questions, challenge ideas and use humour, satire and performance to reflect on the world around us,' she said in a statement. Dopper added that Divine Playhouse faces significant operational, legal and financial challenges.
Financial and cultural impact
During its year-long lease, the venue was set to support more than 1,500 artists, producers, performers, technicians, small creative businesses and staff, and invest $650,000 into the independent arts sector, according to Heaps Gay Events. The venue's social media accounts were taken offline for four days after complaints to Meta but were reactivated on Wednesday, with Dopper stating they did not breach community standards.
Religious objections
Christian groups, including Catholic men's group Fit for the Kingdom and Christian brotherhood the Prodigal Sons, protested the opening night, citing performances such as drag queens dressed as nuns and a performer dressed as a pig offering french fries as holy communion. The venue was originally named Unholy Playhouse but was renamed Divine Playhouse at the last minute in response to concerns. Christian groups demanded the New South Wales government withdraw a $100,000 grant from Create NSW.
Support and legal perspective
City of Sydney deputy lord mayor Jess Miller, who spoke at the opening, voiced support, saying 'changing rules on the fly makes it near impossible' for creatives. LGBTQ+ law firm Dowson Turco partner Nicholas Stewart said legal action could have a chilling effect, noting that Heaps Gay's recourse depends on lease terms and grounds for 'offensive' conduct, potentially involving discrimination law and the Human Rights Commission.
Political reactions
NSW Premier Chris Minns told the Daily Telegraph government officials were investigating the grant application, calling it 'hard to believe' the building was the 'best location' for the performances. Independent NSW MP Alex Greenwich said Sydney needed a 'wake-up call', adding that the situation is 'part of a worrying trend' harming Sydney's reputation as a global city.
