Play It Safe | Sydney Opera House 50th Anniversary

Celebrating 50 years of brave creativity at Sydney Opera House.

For five decades the Opera House has stood in defiance of that nervous little voice inside us that tells us to play it safe and keep it simple.

This special film celebrates our 50th anniversary, encouraging us all to live on the edge of possible, because when we do, extraordinary things can happen.

Starring Tim Minchin, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, The Australian Ballet, Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, Ziggy Ramo, Zahra Newman - Sydney Theatre Company, John Bell - Bell Shakespeare, Australian Chamber Orchestra, Elma Kris - Bangarra Dance Theatre, Kira Puru, Cathy-Di Zhang - Opera Australia, William Barton, Courtney Act, Jimmy Barnes, Sydney Dance Company Pre Professional Year Students and Associate Artists, Lucy Guerin dancers, and DirtyFeet dancers.

Music and lyrics: Tim Minchin
Director: Kim Gehrig
Executive Music Producer/Arranger: Elliott Wheeler
Cinematographer: Stefan Duscio
Creative Agency: The Monkeys, part of Accenture Song
A Revolver X Somesuch Production

Conductor, Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Sydney Philharmonia Choirs: Brett Weymark OAM
Choreography: Lucy Guerin
Choreography of Bangarra Dance Theatre: Stephen Page
DirtyFeet Rehearsal Assistant: Sarah-Vyne Vassallo

Presented by Sydney Opera House in partnership with Tourism Australia.

With thanks to: Panavison, Gripfast, Conway Film Lighting, Heliguys, Remotely Possible, Common Hours, Wynn Hamlyn, Lee Matthews, Alex Higgins, Michael Lo Sordo, Maroske Peech, Matteau, Beare Park, Song For The Mute, Scanlan & Theodore and Esse Studios.

Archival footage and photography courtesy of National Film and Sound Archive, Australian Broadcasting Corporation, British Broadcasting Corporation, Nine Entertainment Co., 10X Media Group, State Library of NSW and Utzon Family

—

FIND US ON SOCIALS

WHAT'S ON

#sydney #australia #sydneyoperahouse #music

[WinglessHydra]

30yo F from the US here: No matter how many times I watch this video- and it has been more than I care to share - I'm always on the verge of crying by the end of it.

[Lee-astrololee]

Tim, whom has inspired us all to never play it safe, how boring would life have been without these two marvels! Happy Ann. to the Opera House Thanks Tim for reminding me there is beauty in all forms of life, love, lyrics and architecture. A great Tribute indeed!

[yourwellnesscheck]

Hi from Portland, Oregon, USA. I am calling it right now. I'm coming to Australia to the Sydney Opera House and I'm bringing my family. We're gonna have a good time and I'm gonna spend an abnormal amount of time talking about Tim Minchin to the Ushers. Be prepared for this Black American Woman has entered the chat!!!

[headwuss]

This is the kind of top notch tribute AND biting social commentary that only Australians can do. Protect the arts. Nothing great every came of playing it safe. Love this so much.

[nicolareeves]

So good! Wouldn't expect anything less from the incredible Tim Minchin 💜

[caprea.]

Absolutely unbelievable song that shows off the absolute beauty of a key part of Aussie culture - the Sydney Opera House.

As an Aussie teenager, I just need to make sure everyone knows how great this video is, and how emotional it made me despite me being born after its creation. I was brought to tears when the song slowed down towards the end and showed both physical forms of the Opera House - the creation of the physical model when the Opera House was still merely an idea, and the completed Opera House we all know and love.

The song itself is so good that I even added it to my personal playlist. Great job, this absolutely deserves more likes than it has.


"Your mind is like a house. If you keep it locked up tight, you just might keep the world out."

[kyonghan]

Happy birthday, Sydney Opera House. You turning into 50 today. How beautiful you are and how grateful we all have you in this beautiful harbourside city. Great work by Tim Minchin, too. So proud❤

[Upshall-ihby]

No better place to appreciate this than sat on the steps of the opera house.

[JanG_GC]

Absolutely loved hearing this live, in DC and NY. What a treat. 🥰

[srjwaugh]

I remember watching the opening of the Sydney Opera House, a pretty amazing performance, and Tim Minchin's 50th anniversary song does it justice. 👏👏👏

[LisaSydney]

I love this man and how his brain ticks!! What a fabulous tribute!
>>> Happy Birthday SOH... my family and I love spending time with you and your fellows. Thank you for so many amazing memories, and more to come.... from one '73 baby to another, hope to see you soon!! <<<

[nicolepeel]

Brilliant song, so talented is Tim Minchin. So many meanings to this song, my favourite line is stay in your box. Listening over and over already.

[daisybatty]

Such a gorgeous building and an AMAZING song to accompany it!!! You’re awesome! 🙌🏼

[floravanwageningen]

Happy 50th 🎉. Brilliant way to start the celebrations. ❤🥰

[riccimeldrum]

Bravo. This is brilliant. Well played.

[DavidBeddard]

The Evolution of Minchin:
From
"If you open your mind too much your brains'll fall out... Take my wife!"
To
"Your mind is like a house; if you keep it locked up tight you just might keep the world out."
❤

[grantnw]

Makes me see light at the end of the mediocre swamp that is more often than not Australia.