VICTORIAN Opera will return to Wodonga next month with another classic adaptation.
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The Magic Pudding – The Opera will be performed at The Cube Wodonga on April 5, as part of the company’s regional tour.
The tour celebrates the 100th anniversary of Norman Lindsay’s classic storybook of the same name The Magic Pudding.
A chorus of about 50 Border singers will feature in the Wodonga performance as had happened in the company’s most recent visit.
Victorian Opera performed The Snow Queen in Wodonga during November following Remembrance and The Pied Piper over recent years.
The Magic Pudding – The Opera will feature childhood favourites Albert the Pudding, Bunyip Bluegum, Bill Barnacle, Sam Sawnoff as well as the mischievous Puddin’-thieves.
Victorian Opera’s The Magic Pudding – The Opera was adapted by prolific composer Calvin Bowman and highly regarded writer and pianist Anna Goldsworthy (Piano Lessons).
Channeling the spirit and humour of Lindsay’s original, Bowman and Goldsworthy bring the book to the stage in their witty, charming adaptation.
Victorian Opera artistic director Richard Mills said 2018 marked the centenary of an Australian classic.
“Victorian Opera’s return season of The Magic Pudding – The Opera is the perfect way to celebrate,” he said.
“We’re thrilled to present a season at The Cube Wodonga.
“The adventures of Albert the pudding, Bunyip, Bill and Sam is the stuff of legend with an enduring capacity to delight the young and young at heart.
“Re-imagined for the stage by Anna Goldsworthy and Calvin Bowman, this medium admirably suits the zany improbabilities of the story.
“Calvin is one of Australia’s most talented composers, he really is an expert at setting text.
“Anna is a marvellous writer and a very fine pianist.
“They worked brilliantly together to create this opera.
“The Magic Pudding – The Opera marked my inaugural commission as the artistic director of Victorian Opera and it’s a joy to see it return to the stage.”
The iconic children’s book was famously created by Norman Lindsay to settle a bet, proving children were far more interested in food than fairies.
It was adapted into an animated feature-length film in 2000, with characters voiced by Sam Neill, Hugo Weaving and John Cleese.
The Magic Pudding – The Opera will be performed at The Cube Wodonga on Thursday, April 5, at 12.30pm and 6.30pm.
