Cessnock Performing Arts Centre - Who Are We?
It’s an iconic façade on the corner of two main thoroughfares of Cessnock – the white painted and raw red brick of early 20th Century architecture seamlessly flowing into the sleek lines of modern red ochre and slate coloured additions. Cessnock Performing Arts Centre (CPAC) is the result of the adaptive re-use of two existing buildings on the corner of Aberdare Road and Vincent Street Cessnock. The entire complex totals some 2,000 square metres, and has been designed using contemporary materials and finishes that subtly contrast with the older buildings.
Since opening on November 22, 2008 the centre has not only built a regular audience for concerts and plays, it has also shown itself as a significant player in audience development and community engagement. Each year CPAC strives to provide live entertainment experiences for our audiences that embraces the eclectic scope of our industry. From brilliant Australian and international theatre productions through to innovative and expressive dance; from the cream of the comedy crop to original live music and acts that capture the essence of the music greats, CPAC prides itself on providing something for everyone.
Our driving ethos is the strong belief that the arts are an integral part of the fabric of a community, that when nurtured have the potential to create a ripple effect of positive and lasting benefits.
Complacency is not a word that could ever be said to apply to CPAC – we are consistently on the lookout for new and innovative performance works and are more often than not programming two years in advance.
Anzac Day 2012 Cessnock Performing Arts Centre
Madness by Virescent Youthweek 2018 Cessnock Performing Arts Centre - 23rd April 2018 @virescentband
Shaun (Vocals) Bails (Guitar) Blaze (Bass) and Bryce (Drums) from the Hunter Valley NSW Australia..
Check out Virescent on FB and Insta @virescentband
Send a msg on FB if you are interested in booking the band for future gigs!!!
The Cessnock Academy of STEM Excellence - High School (part 3)
The Cessnock Academy of STEM Excellence is a collaborative approach to improving future focused skills through the implementation of an innovative continuum of integrated STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics) learning.
Cessnock High School promotes an inclusive and differentiated learning environment to promote equitable STEM learning opportunities. The Head Teacher of the CHS SEEK centre highlights the importance of STEM in Special Education.
CASE schools include Abermain Public, Cessnock Public, Cessnock East Public, Cessnock High School, Kearsley Public and Kitchener Public schools.
Australia Day by Jonathan Biggins
2 June 2015 1pm, 8pm
Cessnock Performing Arts Centre | BOX OFFICE (02) 4990 7134
Writer and Director Jonathan Biggins introduces HIT Productions' 2015 tour of Australia Day
Original Video
EOPF Shine On You Crazy Diamond Parts 2 & 3: Cessnock/Sydney 2018 Audience Video
Australia's premier Pink Floyd tribute Echoes of Pink Floyd perform the original band's iconic remembrance to Syd Barrett.
Audience smartphone capture live at Cessnock Performing Arts Centre and The Concourse, Chatswood, Sydney, NSW, 2018.
Cessnock video courtesy of Sean Setter.
Sydney video courtesy of Jodi BIndig.
All audio captured live and unedited at Cessnock courtesy of Sean Setter.
For more info on the band, go to:
Anh Do LIVE - The Happiest Refugee
Comedian Anh Do brings his best-selling memoir, The Happiest Refugee, to life in a ground-breaking new stand-up show to be performed at CPAC on Friday 21 October 2016. Tickets via our website:
Damien Leith
Saturday 5 November 2016, 8pm
It’s been ten years since Damien won Australian Idol and released his Aria winning album, The Winners Journey. To celebrate, he’ll entertain you with songs from his 8 amazing albums.
Book Now:
Spencer at CPAC Saturday 7 September 2019
Cessnock Performing Arts Centre is proud to present SPENCER by Katy Warner, the brand new Australian comedy-drama from one of Australia’s leading independent theatre companies Lab Kelpie that explores the fate of one gloriously dysfunctional Australian family across a weekend of love, laughs and pain.
SPENCER tells the story of a tight-knit family led by single-mum matriarch Marilyn (Jane Clifton, Prisoner, Neighbours) and her three adult children – wayward daughter Jules (Fiona Harris The Librarians, Offspring), mouthy coulda-been Ben (Lyall Brooks Winners & Losers, Neighbours) and AFL player and golden-boy Scott (Jamieson Caldwell The Doctor Blake Mysteries).
About to meet the young son – Spencer – he never knew he had, Scott and the family have returned home to help mark the occasion. With the surprise appearance of the father they barely remember (Roger Oakley Home and Away, Blue Heelers), the entire family is forced to work together to clean up both the house and their own fractured relationships as the clock ticks down to Spencer’s arrival.
Employing classic Australian vernacular and the penchant for humour to explore issues of self-acceptance, identity and depression, Spencer asks us to consider how much our family defines who we are, and whether we ever really grow up…
Underneath a hilarious family comedy there’s an undercurrent of darker themes. The stories of Ben and Scott sees an exploration of toxic masculinity; while with Jules we’re witness to abandonment issues at play. With parents, Marilyn and Ian, there’s a glimpse at how parents can feed into these emotional ecosystems and how being present can sometimes be as hurtful as walking away.
Following rave reviews and audience feedback off its world premiere season in 2017, SPENCER was nominated for two Green Room Awards in 2018 for Writing (playwright Katy Warner) and Performance (actor Lyall Brooks, previously seen in Lab Kelpie’s production of A Prudent Man) and comes to CPAC as part of a national tour. In fact, Cameron Woodhead from The Age newspaper recently gave awarded this current production of SPENCER a stunning four-and-a-half star review, saying, “If you’re lucky enough to have it come to your neck of the woods, you should beat down the door to see it.”
Tickets on sale at the CPAC Box Office, by phone on 4993 4266 or online at cessnockperformingartscentre.com.au
“It quietly uncovers a simple yet universal truth — the flawed but undeniable power of unconditional love. This may very well be the birth of a future Australian classic.” – ★★★★★ The Music
Cirque Mother Africa Australian Season 2014
Monday 4 August 8pm
Cessnock Performing Arts Centre
Box Office (02) 49 907134
cessnock.nsw.gov.au/cpac
Todd talks KELLY
Ned Kelly is about to hang for his crimes, but his final night in prison is interrupted by the arrival of his brother Dan, disguised as a priest. Supposedly killed at the siege of Glenrowan, Dan is intent on moving north to Queensland and forgetting his past. To do so, he needs Ned’s blessing and forgiveness. But the last time they saw each other, Dan tried to shoot Ned dead.
So begins a brutal confrontation by two titans of Australian history. Facing the sins of their past, each blames the other for their downfall. And neither will escape unharmed.
A Queensland Theatre Company Production
KELLY by Matthew Ryan
Tuesday 30 June 2015 8pm
Cessnock Performing Arts Centre
Box Office (02) 4990 7134
The World of Musicals
3 April, 2017 | Cessnock Performing Arts Centre
The new musical gala with an international cast brings London’s 'West End' and New York’s 'Broadway' to Australia.
Visit for more information.
13 Thorp Close, Cessnock
Quietly located on the eye of a small cul-de-sac, this single level home is defined by its cleverly conceived layout and low-care garden surrounds. Delivering a blissful base of supreme comfort, it’s perfectly equipped for family’s at every stage of life with cherished open-plan living, four bedrooms and two bathrooms. Split-system air-conditioning, a double garage and a mix of easycare floor tiles and carpet are welcome touches, and although this home enjoys a peaceful position, it’s conveniently located 5-minutes from the town centre, popular schools and transport.
Bosom Buddies
Starring Nancye Hayes and Todd McKenney
She is Australia’s leading lady of musical theatre. He is Australia’s leading song and dance man. Together on stage, these two stars are brightly shining.
Wednesday, 11 April - 8pm
Book Now:
Damien Leith Winners Journey 10th Anniversary
Saturday 5 November 2016 8pm
It’s been ten years since Damien won Australian Idol and released his Aria winning album, The Winners Journey. To celebrate, he’ll entertain you with songs from his 8 amazing albums.
Box Office (02) 4990 7134
The Gospel According to Paul starring Jonathan Biggins at CPAC Tuesday 2 April 2019
Jonathan Biggins is Paul Keating in a highly anticipated new comedy about a critical time in Australian history and the man that shaped it.
One of Australia’s favourite performers, Jonathan Biggins, is Paul Keating – visionary, reformer and rabble-rouser – in a highly anticipated new comedy THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO PAUL. Full of intelligence and wit, The Gospel According to Paul is a funny, insightful and occasionally poignant portrait of Paul Keating. The man that - as he tells it – single-handedly shaped contemporary Australia.
Jonathan Biggins’ performance as Paul Keating is well known from the long-running Sydney Theatre Company success story, The Wharf Revue. Showcasing his eviscerating wit, rich rhetoric and ego the size of Everest, THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO PAUL distils Keating’s essence into 75 minutes, focussing on key biographical milestones, landmark political achievements and personal obsessions. It shows the man who grew up in the tribe of the Labor Party and gained an education at the knee of Jack Lang, who treated economics as an artform, and demanded we confront the wrongs of our colonial past.
Biggins asks the question - what can we learn today from this singular politician, and the momentous time in our country’s history he dominated?
“Biggins almost out-Keaters Keating...If only we had someone this clever running the country.” - Lloyd Bradford Syke, Crikey
Contains coarse language. Recommended for ages 15+
MICF Roadshow is coming!
Join the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow as it journeys around Australia, home-delivering hot and tasty comic treats to audiences near and far. Featuring fantastic funny-makers from Australia and beyond, the Roadshow has it all. It’s stand-up, sketch, satire, silliness and song – all in one side-splitting show!
For nearly 20 years this roving tour-de-comedy has visited towns and cities around Australia, from Mildura to Mt Isa and everywhere in between. There’s nowhere our exceptional entertainers fear to tread! You won’t want to miss it when this bounty of belly laughs rolls into town. The cream of the comedy crop will be taking to the stage, with Tom Cashman, Suzi Ruffell (USA), Sharul Channa (SG) and Josh Earl all set bring the laughs. And as a bonus, veteran of Australian comedy and TV shows such as Jimeon, Shaun Micallef's World Around Him, The Mick Molloy Show and the Josh Thomas dramedy Please Like Me will be our MC for the night. That's right, Mr Bob Franklin will be doing his best to keep our comedians under control (good luck!)
Come on Australia - pack your laughing gear and get on board the Roadshow!
Warning: Performances often contain coarse language, sexual references and material that can offend. It is recommended for people aged 15 years or older.
The World of Musicals
3 April, 2017 | Cessnock Performing Arts Centre
The new musical gala with an international cast brings London’s 'West End' and New York’s 'Broadway' to Australia.
Book Now!
Call the Box Office on (02) 4993 4266
or visit
The One Day of the Year By Alan Seymour
15 - 16 April 2015
Cessnock Performing Arts Centre | BOX OFFICE (02) 4990 7134
Director Denis Moore introduces HIT Productions' 2015 Australian tour of The One Day of the Year by Alan Seymour.
Original Video
Melinda Schneider - a tribute to Doris Day
Saturday 9 April 2016 2pm | Box Office (02) 4990 7134
After forging a dazzling country music career that has won her 6 Golden Guitars, and stunning audiences on Dancing with the Stars, Australian favourite, Melinda Schneider steps back in time to pay homage to one of her musical heroes, Doris Day.