The curtain has officially risen once again on one of Greater Western Sydney’s most iconic entertainment venues, with the historic Regent Theatre in Richmond reopening after an extensive multi-million-dollar renovation.

The long-awaited reopening marks a major boost for Sydney’s live music and arts scene, particularly in the rapidly growing north-west region, where residents have increasingly called for more local entertainment options.

The theatre celebrated its grand reopening with a sold-out performance by Australian music legend Ian Moss on Saturday, May 2, following an opening night performance by rising country music star Sara Berki as part of Great Southern Nights 2026.

“It’s fabulous to see another venue pop up, especially such an iconic one like The Regent Theatre in Richmond,” Moss said after his performance.

The Regent Theatre’s story stretches back more than 90 years. Established in 1935 during the golden era of cinema, the art deco venue quickly became a social and cultural hub for the Hawkesbury community. Its popularity surged during World War II due to the nearby RAAF Base Richmond, with servicemen and locals regularly filling the theatre for films and live entertainment.

Over the decades, the theatre became a treasured local landmark and one of the few surviving independent cinemas of its kind in New South Wales. In 1976, it was purchased by Australian television icon Mike Walsh, who undertook significant restoration work to transform it into a venue for both cinema and live performances.

Walsh recently reflected on the theatre’s remarkable history and his personal connection to the building.

“In 1976, I bought The Richmond Regent from another Walsh family who had originally built it in 1935,” he said.

“It was hugely successful during World War II due to the proximity of the Richmond Air Base, but by the time I stepped in, it was quietly ambling along. I spent a great deal restoring the venue, turning it into both a movie and live entertainment theatre.”

Despite its rich history, the much-loved venue had fallen into serious disrepair in recent years and was at risk of being lost altogether. New owner Duncan MacKay said preserving the theatre’s legacy while modernising the venue was central to the restoration project.

“Greater Western Sydney is one of the fastest-growing urban populations in the country,” MacKay said.

“We’ve put our heart and soul into bringing The Regent Theatre back to life. It presents a quality new venue for a market that is hungry for local, domestic and international touring entertainment.”

The transformation has seen the theatre carefully restored while adding modern facilities designed to attract major touring acts and community events alike. The revamped venue now boasts a 700-plus capacity, flexible seating and concert-style configurations, brand-new stage, sound and lighting systems, digital cinema projection, upgraded dressing rooms and licensed bars.

Programming and venue consultant Brett Hlywa said the aim was to create a venue that supports both emerging and established performers while giving local audiences access to quality live entertainment close to home.

“Our goal is to curate a diverse program of live events that connects artists with our growing audience in Greater Western Sydney,” he said.

The reopening also comes at a time when many smaller live music venues across Australia are struggling to survive. Australian singer-songwriter Michael Paynter, who recently performed a sold-out soft opening show at the venue, praised the investment in local live music.

“In an era where small independent theatres are closing all over the place, it’s heartening to see passionate music lovers creating a magical local space with world-class facilities,” he said.

The excitement surrounding the theatre’s return is expected to continue throughout the year, with an impressive lineup of upcoming performances already announced. Future acts include Ben Lee, Kate Ceberano, Anh Do, Tim Freedman and the Sydney Comedy Festival Showcase Tour.

For the Hawkesbury community and live entertainment lovers across Western Sydney, the reopening of The Regent Theatre represents far more than the return of a historic building — it signals a renewed commitment to arts, culture and community connection in the region.