Following its recent appearance at Adelaide Fringe, Popera: Sex, Death & Politics will return to Melbourne for four performances only at The Motley Bauhaus as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. The show, created by Bronny Lane and Uma Dobia, combines original music, operatic parody, comedy, and pointed social commentary.
Presented as a game show-style cabaret, the production uses cross-genre storytelling and interactive performance to explore enduring issues facing women in entertainment – ranging from gendered violence to ageism. It draws parallels between the fates of operatic heroines and the modern pop industry, reflecting on figures such as Britney Spears, R. Kelly, and the broader treatment of female performers across generations.
Director Bronny Lane shared the following comment on the upcoming Melbourne International Comedy Festival run:
People sit through nearly two hours, or more of opera just to get to that one bit of that one Aria that they absolutely love. We figured why not give them just the bit they love wrapped up in a fun piece of pop. This is a show we are really proud of that reflects our experiences across the industry as a whole on and off the stage.
The show features live music, comedy, video elements, audience Q&A, and interactive moments, including opportunities for attendees to participate via their mobile phones. Original songs include Popera Mash-up, Sex, Death & Politics, and the ballad Opera Did The Girls Dirty, with arrangements by Simon Reich and live accompaniment by pianist Isabel Cameron. Guest appearances include Ben Sorensen as the Narrator and Lloyd Lohse as Trevor the Assistant.
Popera: Sex, Death & Politics will be performed at The Motley Bauhaus on 12 and 13 April, and again on 19 and 20 April 2025, with all shows starting at 4.00pm. Tickets start from $24.31 and are available to purchase via the Melbourne International Comedy Festival website.
