Divine Playhouse, a newly opened arts venue in a deconsecrated Sydney church, has been ordered to stop "engaging in offensive trade" by its landlord after religious groups protested against its LGBTQ+ themed opening night. The venue, which opened last Wednesday, was intended as a safe and inclusive space for artists, according to its organiser.
Background of the Venue
The 150-year-old building, located in Sydney's central business district, has not been a church since it was deconsecrated in the 1930s. It later served as a children's school and a theatre before being transformed into Divine Playhouse. The venue originally planned to be called Unholy Playhouse but changed its name after concerns from the Christian community.
Religious Protests and Breach Notice
Catholic men's group Fit for the Kingdom and Christian brotherhood Prodigal Sons claimed the venue "mocks religious faith." About 70 supporters rallied outside on Wednesday night, demanding the New South Wales government withdraw a $100,000 grant Divine Playhouse received from Create NSW, the state's arts agency. The next day, the landlord sent a notice of breach to Heaps Gay Events, the venue's operator, alleging it "insulted and mocked the sincerely held religious beliefs of millions of Christian Australians" and gave it two days to cease operation.
Cancelled Events and Uncertain Future
Divine Playhouse cancelled weekend events, and its future remains uncertain. The venue's Instagram accounts were taken down due to complaints. The breach notice stated that the "offensive trade has caused, and will continue to cause, grievance and disturbance to owners of adjoining properties and to the general public." The landlord's lawyers did not respond to requests for comment.
Community Reactions
James Thorpe, founder of Odd Culture Group and co-chair of the Night Time Industries Association, called the situation "deeply concerning." He wrote on LinkedIn: "For generations, queer people have fought for places to gather, perform, be loud, irreverent, joyful and entirely ourselves. Christians have a right to preach, protest and stand outside Divine Playhouse and pray. Queer artists have the right to make art that is confronting, irreverent and, yes, offensive." Sydney's deputy lord mayor, Jess Miller, shared Thorpe's statement, adding she "could not agree more."
Political Support
NSW Greens MP Cate Faehrmann called on the state minister for music and the night-time economy, John Graham, to "publicly defend Divine Playhouse, its organisers, staff, artists and patrons." She said the venue should be celebrated as the kind of venue Sydney "desperately needs more of."
Statements from Religious Groups
In separate statements, Prodigal Sons and Fit for the Kingdom said they were not seeking to silence anyone but wanted to underscore "how deeply this material has wounded a community of faith." They objected to photos and videos from the opening night, including a performer dressed as a pig offering McDonald's french fries as holy communion. A Fit for the Kingdom spokesperson decried "hateful blasphemy that mocks what we hold most sacred," citing "performers dressed as nuns waving sex toys" and "drag queens reenacting the birth of Christ." A Prodigal Sons spokesperson said: "There is no shortage of venues across Sydney where the LGBTQ community is free to express itself. The selection of a former church is a deliberate and conscious decision."
Ongoing Protests and Police Presence
The furore has been amplified on social media by Christian influencers, including Spanian and the conservative Family First party Australia. Religious groups are expected to gather at Divine Playhouse on Friday to "join in prayer for the souls of the people behind this desecration." NSW Police said officers will be present at the protest. The City of Sydney is considering a proposal to redevelop the church into luxury apartments.
