Corsets, giant wigs, high drama, and faces painted for the back of the room – these are a few of our favourite things! But wait, are we talking about an opera, or a drag show? Well, both, actually! That’s right, the Sydney Opera House is set for a scandalous night out with the return of Opera Up Late, which is back by popular demand, and once again helmed by the hostess with the mostess: cabaret icon and provocateur Reuben Kaye.
“Opera Up Late has become one of my favourite nights of the year,” says Kaye, who is currently starring in Jesus Christ Superstar (we had a chat with him about that too, watch it over here).
Premiering at Sydney WorldPride in 2023, Opera Up Late is the one night of the year where Opera Australia’s rabble of classically trained performers lets it all hang out in a cheeky blend of comedy, cabaret and opera with a decidedly Queer lens. In 2025, this includes one of Australia’s most adored sopranos, Emma Matthews (who’s currently starring as the Fairy Godmother in OA’s production of Massenet’s Cinderella) alongside tenors Adam Player and Tomas Dalton, and mezzo soprano Angela Hogan, under the direction of the award-winning Shaun Rennie.
Kaye adds: “It has this late-night, dangerous cabaret, licentious feel to it, which is really exciting to bring to an established opera company. It's a moment where you get to say to an opera audience: ‘Hey, here's what's been here all along!’ Because, there's nothing as queer as an opera – opera is drag!”
Opera Up Late is the perfect chance for opera newbies to pop their cherries, and for aficionados to reacquaint themselves with a great love (and celebrate just how camp opera really is at heart!).
This one-night-only affair is taking over the Opera House’s stunning Joan Sutherland Theatre from the slightly-less-late time of 9.30pm on Thursday, January 30. It’s the perfect way to get yourself warmed up for a gay ol’ time at the 2025 Sydney Mardi Gras Festival (which kicks off from February 14). Tickets start at $49+bf and you can snatch them up over here.
Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more city news and activity ideas, straight to your inbox.