The Magic Pudding - The Opera (Bendigo)
Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo
27 Apr 2018
Celebrate 100 years of Pudding
Take one true-blue Australian classic, add deliciously playful costumes with a measure of musical magic, mix in a generous helping of young talent and discover the perfect recipe for a delightful family opera.
Celebrating the centenary of Norman Lindsay’s The Magic Pudding, Victorian Opera brings its much-loved adaptation to regional Victoria, with a cast of brilliant emerging talent and local community choruses.
Join Albert, the walking, talking, never-ending Pudding, and his friends – penguin Sam Sawnoff, sailor Bill Barnacle and koala Bunyip Bluegum – as we celebrate an Australian family favourite with this witty and adorable production.
The story
Following the scent of pudding, Bunyip Bluegum, the koala, comes across Bill Barnacle, the sailor, and Sam Sawnoff, the penguin. They are the owners of a rather ill-tempered Puddin’ called Albert, who magically replenishes no matter how many slices are cut. Bill and Sam are being followed by Possum and Watkin Wombat who want to steal the Puddin’ for themselves. Will the three friends be able to thwart the thieves and hold onto their magic Puddin’?
The music
Composed by Victorian Calvin Bowman, the music is light with generous melodies that delight audiences of all ages. The story is told through Bowman’s melodic style that has been influenced by the Romantic era, early 20th-century British composers and Carl Stalling (composer of music for Warner Brother cartoons).
Have fun while learning more about The Magic Pudding - The Opera. Download the Education Resource.
PERFORMANCE DETAILS
Venue
Ulumbarra Theatre
10-20 Gaol Road, Bendigo
(03) 5434 6100
Date and times
Friday 27 April 2018
1pm (schools performance) and 6:30pm
Running time is approximately 75 minutes with no interval.
Sung in English.
Cast & Crew
Composer Calvin Bowman
Librettist Anna Goldsworthy
Creative team
Conductor Fabian Russell
Director Cameron Menzies
Set and Costume Design Chloe Greaves
Lighting Design Peter Darby
Cast
Narrator Georgia Wilkinson*
Bunyip Bluegum Nathan Lay
Bill Barnacle Timothy Reynolds
Sam Sawnoff Brenton Spiteri
Albert the Pudding Jeremy Kleeman
Wombat/Rooster Shakira Dugan*
Possum Shakira Tsindos*
Judge Carlos E. Bárcenas
Constable/Hedgehog Douglas Kelly*
Benjimen Brandysnap Stephen Marsh*
Supported by a Community Chorus
*Youth Artist 2018
Reviews
“★★★★ They say the proof of the pudding is in the eating. In this case, the eating is nostalgic, fanciful and entirely satisfying.”
“Fun and frolicsome adventure fit for all.”
“★★★★ An absolute joy”
“★★★★ A delightfully charming, family friendly, dinky di true blue production.”
Supported by
Victorian Opera’s Education Syndicate
Victorian Government’s Major Victorian Regional Touring Program