Hot on the heels of five-star reviews in Hollywood (USA) and Melbourne (AUS) Popera: Sex, Death and Politics will make it’s UK debut at Camden Fringe Festival this August. Entertainment Publicist turned writer, producer and director turned cabaret songwriter Bronny Lane has teamed up with Australia’s favourite Crohn’s and allergy cabaret girl Uma Dobia to give birth to Popera: Sex, Death & Politics.
The past and present collide in a concoction of cross-genre storytelling, comedy and original music highlighting the plight of the diva of today and yesteryear. Hot on the heels of sold-out performances at Hollywood Fringe Festival and The Butterfly Club, Popera will have it’s final performances for 2024 at Etcetera Theatre, Camde, before taking a break in preparation for the 2025 tour of the show.
"Uma Dobia is a raunchy hot she-devil pouncing around the stage in her red lurex leotard and sparkly silver boots ready to ‘get physical’ and woo her audience." Stage Whispers, Australia, May 2024
“POPERA wasn’t your grandmother’s opera night. Imagine a glamorous game show colliding with a cabaret and operatic concert, all while inviting the audience to join the fun.” HoopLA, USA, June 2024
“Popera is polished without being unapproachable, allowing the audience to participate with wild abandon and answer Dobia's (impressive and glass-shattering) war cry for opera to Do Better.” ArtsHub, Australia, July 2024
Inspired by a love of singing pop songs in an operatic style (for giggles) Bronny Lane and Uma Dobia decided a collaboration was in order. Particularly given the state of gendered violence in today’s climate and their shared musical pedigree as alumni of the Conservatorium of Music at Melbourne University.
For all the fun to be had, Popera: Sex, Death & Politics reveals a deeper thematic material that shows not much has changed since Dido in Les Troyens stabbed herself with a sword in an obvious symbol of male penetration. Fast forward to 2024 and things off stage in pop don’t seem much better. There’s R. Kelly, the famous Taylor Swift court case and of course Britney. Meanwhile, operatic divas are committing suicide, suffering abuse, infidelity and more. And then there is the ageism suffered by divas across the board! Classic operas prove that the issues of yesteryear are still very much relevant today. Quite frankly, women are sick of being put in a box, of any kind!
This game show style piece features live comedy performance, original songs, and video with quiz show Q&A and audience interaction. Questions abound such as, why did Trevor leave? Will he ever come back? What’s ‘cockrockera’? Who will win the air fryer? And, why is our diva having a meltdown? Audiences will be encouraged to use their mobile phones #poperaisintown while others will be dragged on stage and might or might not win the box wine. Audiences will spin the wheel, shake their maracas and ding their dong as Popera delivers the most iconic moments of opera coupled with pop!
"People sit through nearly two hours, or more of opera just to get to that one bit of that one Aria that they absolutely love," said Bronny Lane, Director, Popera. "We figured why not give them just the bit they love wrapped up in a fun piece of pop. We have created a show that we are really proud of and reflects our experiences across the industry as a whole both on and off the stage.”
The show premiered in Australia before heading to Hollywood Fringe Festival for its worldwide debut. It recently finished a run to great acclaim at The Butterfly Club with cries a new feminist icon had been born. Bronny Lane, who also attended UCLA, is best known for her work as an entertainment publicist across comedy, theatre, music, film and television and counts Phil McIntyre Live (Mythos Ragnarok), Buxstock and Laughing Stock Productions (Randy Feltface) and Live Nation (Sophie McCartney) as clients in the industry. Uma Dobia, is fresh off a hit, sold-out show titled “Intolerant” which played the Adelaide Fringe, Melbourne International Comedy, San Diego Fringe and Hollywood Fringe Festivals. After her Camden Fringe Festival run, Uma will travel back to the USA with Nightingale Performing Arts Australia to perform and receive coaching.
For this production, the pair worked with Simon Reich to arrange and produce original songs written by the duo including “Popera Mash-up” and “Sex, Death & Politics,” frenetic pop come rap songs coupled with opera as well as a touching ballad titled “Opera Did The Girls Dirty” with lyrics like Puccini gave us the butterfly and Beethoven pulled off her wings. Local pianist Luke Thornton will provide keys on the night with surprise guest appearances from Ben Sorensen as the Narrator and upcoming talent Lloyd Lohse as Trevor the Assistant.
If you love your cabaret dirty with an intellectual twist thrown in then Popera: Sex, Death & Politics is a cabaret show not to be missed. Tickets start from £10 and are available to purchase now.
LONDON
Etcetera Theatre
Wednesday 14 and Thursday 15 August, 2024
Full: £12
Conc: £10
Buy
Tickets"This show is a must-see" Stage Whispers, Australia, May 2024
“A true gem” HoopLA, June 2024
“Cool, sexy and hilarious” Theatre Thoughts, July 2024
“Confident and assured direction” Melbourne Observer, July 2024
“Saucy and wickedly smart” ArtsHub July 2024 *****
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