Sydneysiders get ready – a theatrical extravaganza is coming! On Friday 22 October and Saturday 23 October, Sydney’s ANZ Stadium will be transformed into a Roman amphitheatre where the stadium sized adaptation of the biblical epic will be staged and performed. Touted as being on the same scale as the Sydney Olympic Games opening ceremony, this stadium sized production retells the dramatic story of Ben Hur, a Jewish prince and merchant in Jerusalem at the beginning of the first century, who is inspired by the rise of the Christ figure to challenge Roman tyranny and fight for freedom against the Roman Empire.
This adaption, however, promises to prove the saying right and in fact be ‘bigger than Ben Hur’. With a cast of 200 actors, a powerful musical score, an impressive light show and a deep and gravelly narration by Russell Crowe, it’s set to be a production of Ben Hur unlike any other.
The show has already wowed audiences and attracted critical acclaim in France, where the production originated. The 2010 stadium adaptation is the brainchild of French director Robert Hossein. The debut of Ben Hur in Paris was watched by over 300,000 people.
Hossein’s production is a theatrical version of the 1959 Academy Award winning movie Ben Hur, which starred Charlton Heston. And just as audiences were amazed by the production of the movie back in 1959, the 2010 stadium production is sure to set a benchmark for theatrical shows.
For those making the trip to Sydney for the show and looking for a quality hotel, Sydney offers a range of first-rate accommodation. Alternatively, if you’re looking for accommodation deals, Surry Hills and other inner city suburbs have a range of accommodation options to choose from.
Ben Hur quick facts:
- 1250 tonnes of crushed rock and sand form the staging base of the production
- The total performance area is 15,000 square metres – almost two football fields.
- Each end of ANZ Stadium is occupied by massive stages representing the Roman Senate and the Town of Judea.
- Among the huge sets is a Roman Galley ship powered by 100 oarsmen.
- 24 horses sourced and trained in Australia race in teams of four in the full-scale chariot race.
- A stage crew of more than 200 works throughout the 10 action-packed scenes.
- The horses used in the production eat 100 kilograms of oats, 250 kilograms of hay, 2,560 litres of filtered water per.