HEN @ the Victorian Opera: the Magic Pudding (Melbourne or online, 5y-14y)

Join us for Victorian Opera’s beautiful operatic retelling of Norman Lindsay’s classic tale, The Magic Pudding, either in Melbourne or online anywhere across Australia.

Every year, Victorian Opera delivers an education-focused performance for its Access All Areas program. It offers a chance for kids to not only watch a performance, but also to understand how it was made, who made it, and ask questions.

The Magic Pudding is back and tastier than ever, as a brand new australian opera! Filled with a measure of musical magic, deliciously playful costumes and a hearty helping of theatrical magic, this dinky-di delight brings Lindsay’s larrikin spirit to joyous life.

This Australian classic has inspired laughter for generations with its much-loved characters Albert the Pudding, Bunyip Bluegum, Bill Barnacle, Sam Sawnoff as well as those mischievous Puddin’-thieves. Perfect for pudding-lovers of all ages!

Including with ticket purchase is access to four interactive workshops, live-streamed direct to your computer, allowing families to:

• Explore the world
• Learn about the process of designing and creating the world of the production through costumes, sets and lighting,
• Meet and hear the opera singers starring in the production
• Discover how the director shapes the action on stage
• Observe an orchestral rehearsal

The four workshops will be released in April 2026 onwards, and will be available until after the performance:

1. What is Opera?
2. Exploring the world
3. Creating the world
4. The Orchestra and all things production

Ages:

For kids aged 5y-14y (Prep – Year 8). Older siblings welcome but sorry, no preschool aged siblings allowed.

Dates:

• Nunawading: Fri 15 May, 10.15am-11.30am
• Preston: Fri 22 May, 10.15am-11.30am
• Narre Warren: Fri 29 May, 10:15-11.30am
• Online: self-selected, between 15-29 May

Note: only Narre Warren excursion currently confirmed. Nunawading and Preston events require a volunteer in order to become available. Please contact the event organiser if you are interested in volunteering (& are comfortable providing a Working With Children Check to HEN).

Price:

$15 all excursion tickets. Limit of one adult per family.

Bookings close two weeks before each event, unless sold out prior.

$1 per child for online tickets.

Locations:

• Nunawading: The Round, 379-399 Whitehorse Rd, Nunawading VIC 3131
• Preston: Darebin Arts Centre, 401 Bell St, Preston VIC 3072
• Narre Warren: Bunjil Place, 2 Patrick NE Dr, Narre Warren VIC 3805