The Round, Nunawading
379-399 Whitehorse Rd, Nunawading 3131
Access All Areas 2026
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 original Australian opera, The Magic Pudding: The Opera, in Term 2 2026.
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).
What's involved
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.
How to view
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.
Workshop Dates & Times
Workshops will be streamed to schools weekly in the lead up to performances of The Magic Pudding: The Opera.
Each workshop runs for approximately 25 minutes.
Workshop 1: What is opera?
Wednesday 29 April, 10.30am
In this workshop we take a look at the history of opera and meet some real-life opera singers who will demonstrate the different voice types used in opera and the important role of the ensemble.
Workshop 2: The Magic Pudding: The Opera
Wednesday 6 May, 10.30am
We take a look at Norman Lindsay’s original book and how it was adapted for opera before meeting the director who shows us how to stage a scene.
Workshop 3: Creating the world
Wednesday 13 May, 10.30am
We meet the lighting director who uncovers the lighting design for Victorian Opera’s production of The Magic Pudding: The Opera and learn about the costumes that will transform our singers into Norman Lindsay’s infamous characters.
Workshop 4: The orchestra
Wednesday 20 May, 10.30am
In this workshop we meet The Magic Pudding: The Opera‘s stage manager and go into an orchestral rehearsal to meet the instruments in the orchestra.
Performance details
- 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]
In-theatre pricing
- $16 per student with 1 teacher free for every 10 students
- $16 per additional teacher
How to book
Book by phone:
- The Round (03) 9262 6555 or visit the venue website
- Darebin Arts Centre (03) 8470 8888 or visit the venue website
- Bunjil Place (03) 9709 9700 or visit the venue website
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.
What's involved
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.
How to view
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.
Workshop dates & times
Workshops will be streamed to schools weekly in the lead up to performances of The Magic Pudding: The Opera.
Each workshop runs for approximately 25 minutes.
Workshop 1: What is opera?
Wednesday 29 April, 10.30am
In this workshop we take a look at the history of opera and meet some real-life opera singers who will demonstrate the different voice types used in opera and the important role of the ensemble.
Workshop 2: The Magic Pudding: The Opera
Wednesday 6 May, 10.30am
We take a look at Norman Lindsay’s original book and how it was adapted for opera before meeting the director who shows us how to stage a scene.
Workshop 3: Creating the world
Wednesday 13 May, 10.30am
We meet the lighting director who uncovers the lighting design for Victorian Opera’s production of The Magic Pudding: The Opera and learn about the costumes that will transform our singers into Norman Lindsay’s infamous characters.
Workshop 4: The orchestra
Wednesday 20 May, 10.30am
In this workshop we meet The Magic Pudding: The Opera‘s stage manager and go into an orchestral rehearsal to meet the instruments in the orchestra.
Performance details
- Streamed live from Bunjil Place on Friday 29 May 2026, 10:30 am and available on-demand.
Online pricing
Sponsored by the Victorian Government, free for all schools located within Victoria.
$1 per student for any school outside Victoria.
How to book
Book by phone:
- Victorian Opera Education (03) 9012 6659 or register online
Contact
For further enquiries or assistance, contact our Education Team via email or phone (03) 9012 6659 (Monday to Friday, 10:00am – 4:00 pm).
Sponsors
Behind The Scenes
Youth Ambassadors
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