NEW PRODUCTION

Peer into the magic looking glass and come on a fantastical journey with Alice and the White Rabbit. Leave Wonderland behind and step into an alternative opera universe, a marvellous world for curious minds that will fascinate young and old alike.

An imagination as abundant as our heroine’s is a pre-requisite for this adventure that leaps across boundaries of opera time and space. Follow the White Rabbit through the corridors of time to meet famous characters from your favourite operas in this wonderfully creative pastiche, which includes music from Bizet, Delibes, Handel, Mozart and Verdi.

Unpredictable enchantment will be the order of the day, as well as a chance to hear the very best young singers from our company family, who are joined by the outstanding students from the University of Melbourne.

Encounter the joy of music, the fun of discovery and the magic of theatre in one special hour.

5 reasons to join Alice and the White Rabbit on their adventure

• This captivating pastiche opera is perfect for families looking for an hour's entertainment.
• Revisit Lewis Carroll's timeless story and follow familiar characters on a magical journey to new and exciting places.
• Discover the best moments from opera's 'greatest hits', featuring beautiful melodies from Mozart, Verdi and Bizet. 
• See the joy on your youngsters’ faces as you introduce them to the wonders of opera and live orchestral music. 
• Enjoy family fun and create lasting memories with the children in your life.

PERFORMANCE DETAILS

Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse

Friday 14 June, 1:00pm - Relaxed Performance*
Saturday 15 June, 11:00am, 2:00pm**, 5:00pm

Running time is approximately 55 minutes, no interval

Story in English, singing in original languages with English scene descriptors

Suitable for ages 6+

Patrons' Pre-show Drinks Saturday 15 June

*Relaxed Performance information
**Audio Description available

Price reserve maps for this performance can be found on our Venue Information page. 

The Story

Alice and her friend the White Rabbit are relaxing by the river when they stumble upon a mysterious flute. A note attached to it says that it belongs to the Queen of the Night who lives in a dark and scary castle in Operaland. The White Rabbit plays a few notes on the flute and immediately starts behaving strangely, a bit like the Mad Hatter. Uh-oh, Alice realises that the flute is cursed. They have only one hour to return it and reverse the curse.

Luckily, they bump into Alfredo, a singer from Operaland, who knows the Queen of the Night and offers to take them to her. On the way they meet friendly, intriguing and flamboyant characters and discover the joys of singing. But can they return the flute in time?

The Music

This original pastiche opera features well-known arias, duets and ensembles from classic operas, providing a wonderful introduction to opera for audiences of all ages. Featured musical numbers include the famous ‘Flower Duet’ from Delibes’ Lakmé, the Toreador’s bull-fighting song from Bizet’s Carmen, Mozart’s Magic Flute Quintet and Alfredo’s aria from Verdi’s La traviata.

Composers Georges Bizet, Léo Delibes, George Frideric Handel, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Giuseppe Verdi
Text Emma Muir-Smith
Conductor Simon Bruckard
Director Brock Roberts
Set Designer Candice MacAllister
Costume Designer Isaac Lummis
Lighting Designer Peter Darby

Cast

Alice Georgia Wilkinson
White Rabbit Timothy Reynolds
Elettra / 1st Lady / Frasquita Emily Burke
Mallika / 3rd Lady / Carmen Shakira Dugan
Alfredo Carlos E. Bárcenas
Papageno Stephen Marsh
Queen of the Night Esther Counsel
Chorus Students from the University of Melbourne

Orchestra

Victorian Opera Chamber Orchestra