STAGES Episode 552: CARLY FISHER

Encompassing three unique locations, Qtopia Sydney is the largest Centre for Queer history and culture in the world. Nestled in the heart of Darlinghurst, it is a home for preserving and celebrating a vivid line of stories. It is no surprise then that the venue boasts 2 unique performance spaces; the Substation and the Loading Dock Theatre.

In the 10 months since their first season, nearly 400 artists have taken to The Loading Dock theatre stage as part of the Mainstage Season, Pride Fest and Sydney Fringe Festival, performing to over 9000 audience members. 

The theatre saw hilarious comedies, heartbreaking dramas, insightful conversations, toe-tapping cabarets, groundbreaking musicals, inspiring literary events and more. As well as the Mainstage and Pride Fest artists, the Loading Dock partners with festivals and organisations like FORM, EnQueer, The Bookshop Darlinghurst, Sydney Fringe, and more. It is a space that proudly shares the stories of the LGBTQIA+ community, its allies and the wider community local to Darlinghurst. 

The Loading Dock Theatre may not have the biggest capacity or largest stage dimensions in Sydney, but what it has proven is that it does hold one very big heart. 

The Loading Dock’s 2025 season is off and running. STAGES sat down with Artistic Director Carly Fisher to explore the season and this fabulous new and intimate performance space for Sydney.

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