Story perspectives

Perth Festival Revolutionizes Opera in Unconventional Venues

3/4/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Perth Festival embraces unconventional opera in nontraditional venues such as Ikea stores and abandoned offices.
Secret Opera, led by West Australian Opera, presents classics in unexpected settings to attract new audiences.
Mel Cantwell's adaptation of Kafka's The Trial and a Figaro version set in Ikea illustrate the trend.
The shift to nontraditional spaces addresses high costs and aims to engage diverse audiences, according to Artistic Director Chris van Tuinan.

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Story summary

The Perth Festival embraces unconventional opera in nontraditional venues such as Ikea stores and abandoned offices.
Secret Opera, led by West Australian Opera, presents classics in unexpected settings to attract new audiences.
Mel Cantwell's adaptation of Kafka's The Trial and a Figaro version set in Ikea illustrate the trend.
The shift to nontraditional spaces addresses high costs and aims to engage diverse audiences, according to Artistic Director Chris van Tuinan.