Inside the Sydney Opera House – which premiered on 23 October, 2022, on ABC TV and is now streaming on iview – is a three episode series that follows the dedicated staff who make magic happen to tell a surprising story about what it takes to bring one of the world’s greatest buildings to life every day.

We meet CEO Louise Herron and the workers who go to extraordinary lengths to stage thousands of shows for the millions of people who come to the Sydney Opera House each year. The series reveals the dramatic preparations to a troubled New Year’s Eve and how the house fought back after lockdowns to put on a stunning array of shows and events including 28 Valentine’s Day weddings and the memorable VIVID Live, as well as staging everything from ballet, opera and First Nations dance, to rap, pop and a children’s show about a famous dog. There’s even a resident seal and dogs who chase away chip-hungry seagulls.

Along the way is the ambitious rebuild of the concert hall. Closed for two-and-a-half years, the house spent millions of dollars to fix the acoustics, replace machinery and improve accessibility. On an emotional re-opening night, one question was on everyone’s lips: “Is this going to work?”

As it approaches its 50th birthday in 2023, now is the time to step inside the Sydney Opera House – a modern masterpiece of human creativity.

3 x 57 min

• Narrator: Marta Dusseldorp
• Executive Producer: Steve Bibb
• Series Director and Principal Camera: Ronan Sharkey
• Distribution: ABC Commercial

Watch now on ABC iview