Can a church become a nightclub?

July 19, 2026

Two weeks ago, one of Sydney's newest venues opened its doors in a heritage-listed former church. A few days later, it was shut down entirely, caught between a Christian backlash, a landlord's legal notice, and a fight over public arts funding.

On today's podcast, we're breaking down what actually happened to Divine Playhouse, why the venue struck a nerve with some religious groups, and what happens next for the creative arts space at the centre of it all.

Hosts: Elliot Lawry and Billi FitzSimonsProducer: Avegail MatutinaVideo Editor: Rosa Bowden

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Can a church become a nightclub?