Access All Areas 2026

About the program In-theatre & Online combined Online Only Contact Sponsors

About the program

Open young minds to a new experience

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

We are proud to present a brand new Australian opera, called The Magic Pudding, in Term 2 2025.

The Magic Pudding is back and tastier than ever! Victorian Opera is bringing its adored adaptation of Norman Lindsay’s classic The Magic Pudding to the stage in 2026 for an unmissable return season, composed by Calvin Bowman, based on Anna Goldsworthy’s libretto. 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!

In-theatre & Online combined

Open the doorway to opera and musical theatre

Take advantage of this four-week program that features interactive workshops and a performance of The Magic Pudding live on stage at one of three venues (Nunawading, Preston and Narre Warren).

Four interactive workshops are live-streamed direct to classrooms across Victoria, allowing students 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-week program concludes with a performance of The Magic Pudding live on stage, or available to stream live and on-demand.

All content is easily accessed online via the Access All Areas viewing portal and available on demand for six months, to better suit individual school timetabling.

From April 2026 onwards

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

The Round, Nunawading – Friday 15 May 2026, 10:30am and 1:00pm^ (relaxed performance)
Darebin Arts Centre – Friday 22 May 2026 , 10:30am
Bunjil Place – Friday 29 May 2026, 10:30am and 1:00pm^ (relaxed performance)

^Tactile Tour (12:00pm) and Audio Described Performance – please advise when booking [limited capacity]

$16 per student with 1 teacher free for every 10 students
$16 per additional teacher

→Register Now→

Online Only

Not located within traveling distance to one of the venues?

All Victorian Primary schools can still take part in Access All Areas, regardless of location. All four interactive workshops and the performance are live-streamed direct to classrooms.

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

Four interactive workshops are live-streamed direct to classrooms, allowing students to:

Explore the story
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-week program concludes with a performance of The Magic Pudding streamed live from the theatre and available on-demand.

All content is easily accessed online via the Access All Areas viewing portal and available on demand for six months, to better suit individual school timetabling.

From April 2026 onwards