Accessibility

Victorian Opera is committed to producing opera and musical theatre for everyone.

We work diligently to ensure our entire audience can enjoy our productions and get the most out of their experience at every point. We have a wide range of initiatives and resources to provide an accessible experience for our whole audience.

Surtitles or scene descriptors
Audio Description (select performances)
Assisted listening devices (select venues)
Relaxed Performance (The Lyrebird’s Voice)
Wheelchair-accessible car parking and venue access
Accessible toilet facilities
Wheelchair and limited mobility seating
Assistance animals are welcome in all our venue

Wide range of prices to suit every budget
Accessible pricing for Pension and Health Care Card holders, Full-time Students, Senior card holders, Children, 30 Years and Under, and Arts Access Victoria members
Companion Card ticketing
Complimentary programmes for all performances
Live and on-demand streaming options

A relaxed performance provides a calm environment for audiences with elements of the production adapted to reduce anxiety or stress. Lighting and sound levels are adjusted to soften their impact; making noise and moving around the auditorium is welcome during the performance; and there are designated ‘chill-out’ areas in the foyer.

This environment is ideal for audience members with autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome and those sensitive to sensory variance.

The Lyrebird's Voice

The Round, Nunawading
Friday 9 May, 1.00 pm

Sung in English

Relaxed Performances are for anyone who would benefit from a more relaxed environment. This can include, but is not limited to, people with autism, sensory sensitivities, Tourette’s syndrome, learning disabilities or dementia, as well as people living with anxiety or people who have experienced trauma.

Supported by The Marian & E.H. Flack Trust & The William Angliss Charitable Fund

About the show

Have you ever heard a lyrebird’s call? You may have, but mistaken it for something else – these ornate birds are expert copycats, mimicking all sorts from kookaburras to camera shutters.

In this family-friendly opera, one trickster lyrebird goes a step too far and gets in trouble with their friends in the flock. The other birds banish the lyrebird and curse them: never again will the lyrebird be able to use their own voice. From now on, it’s mimicry only.

Alone in the bush, the lyrebird meets a quirky assortment of Australian animals, where they discover the power of being different. With performances in the outer suburban ring of Melbourne, audiences will meet beetles, a wombat, a kangaroo, a ringtail possum, a jittery emu, all manner of native birds, and a cunning cat.

This sweet story was developed by Peter Rutherford and six youth participants of the New Work Opera Studio 2023. Told with colour, Australian spirit and a big dose of humour, this opera imparts important lessons on identity and the ways in which we use our voice.

More Information

Audio Description narrates the action on stage for audience members who are blind or visually impaired via a wireless receiver pack and ear piece. Audience members who utilise Audio Description for a dedicated audio-described performance also have the option of attending the accompanying Tactile Tour when available.

Do you or anyone in your party require the use of an audio description headset? Audio Description is available for the following performances in 2025:

If you’ve already booked and require a a wireless receiver pack and ear piece, email your request directly to our Ticketing team.

Audio description requests can be made during your online booking.

Subscriptions: Audio description requests added to your subscription during towards the end of your booking (before payment details).
Single Tickets: As you complete your booking for the audio described performance, an offer to include an audio described headset will be included in your purchase pathway.

When booking by phone, mention that you would like an audio description headset and the ticketing agent will include this in your order.

Tactile Tours are for ticket holders with a vision impairment and their companion to explore the props and costumes of the production. Tactile Tours take place in the auditorium 60 minutes prior to the start time of the performance and participants need to arrive 15 minutes before the tour to sign in. Please note this is not an open backstage tour and all participants need to be registered for the Tactile Tour one week prior.

When organising your tickets, please ask the venue box office to book your Audio Description receiver and/or Tactile Tour.

Victorian Opera presents in venues that provide access and seating for wheelchairs and mobility aids. Please let the venue Box Office know of your requirements when booking.

Our venue partners place great value on making their spaces welcoming and accessible for all audience. The accessibility offerings for each venue can be found via their website.