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The Magic Pudding – The Opera

Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse
15 Mar 2018 - 17 Mar 2018

Celebrating Pudding's 100th birthday

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 back to the Melbourne stage, before hitting the road across 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.

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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 with our Education Resource.

PERFORMANCE DETAILS

Arts Centre Melbourne, Playhouse

Thursday 15 March 6:30pm
Friday 16 March 6:30pm
Saturday 17 March 1:00pm*, 5:00pm

Running time is approximately 75 minutes with no interval.

Sung in English.

Suitable for ages 5+.

The Magic Pudding – The Opera was also be performed in Bendigo and Wodonga.

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 Youth Opera Chorus and Community Chorus

*Youth Artist 2018

Orchestra

Victorian Opera Chamber Orchestra

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The Magic Pudding - The Opera. Photo: Charlie Kinross
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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”

Herald Sun, 8 October 2013

“★★★★ A delightfully charming, family friendly, dinky di true blue production.”

Theatre People, 4 October 2013