West Australian Opera Archives

Two men in Nazi-style uniforms and big black boots stand on steps, looking menacing. Beside them is a black statue of Atlas, clad only in a loin cloth, head bowed with the weight of a globe above him. This is the WA Opera production of Otello Menacing Otello takes total control

Reviews

Menacing Otello takes total control

21 July 2023

Opening in a blaze of sound and fury, Otello unleashes an emotional rollercoaster. Will Yeoman urges you to jump on board.

Into the Woods. A large cast of performers on stage under a huge spiral staircase which forms the centrepiece of the set Spectacular foray into the woods

Reviews

Spectacular foray into the woods

26 March 2023

Emma Jayakumar puts her Sondheim reservations aside and is caught up in the lavish design and exhilarating performances in the fractured fairytale world of Into The Woods.

A group of characters clad in fairy-like costumes stand across a stage. They are all wearing headdresses. The four wearing colourful capes and skirts are looking at queen in a frothy white gown and a man in a octopus headdress and plaid pants, who are looking skywards. This is a scene from Breaksea's Fairy Queen. Breaking down artistic barriers

Features

Breaking down artistic barriers

22 March 2023

A small arts organisation based in the Great Southern, Breaksea isn’t afraid to dream big. Julie Hosking discovers the community heart behind its creative forces.

Reviews

Opera stars in the outfield

26 February 2023

With world-class performances and a stunning if unusual setting, WA Opera’s Carmen should help find the genre new audiences, writes Bourby Webster.

Features

Cream of the crop 2022

15 December 2022

Which shows were Seesaw Mag’s favourites this year? We ask our writers to reflect on the year that was… and the year that will be.

An elegant woman in a golden off-the-shoulder gown stands at the end of a bed, leaning against a wall. Light shines through flimsy curtains covering a large window to the left, a tree mural covering the back wall of the bedroom. The woman looks sad. It is Samantha Clarke playing Violetta in La Traviata. A star is born in Parisian salon

Reviews

A star is born in Parisian salon

27 October 2022

West Australian Opera’s production of La Traviata is faultless, with an outstanding local cast led by a mega-star in the making, writes Bourby Webster.

Little inventor. A young girl stands next to a large makeshift looking machine holding a hose that is attached it and appearing to point it at someone in front of her in a defensive pose Young minds clear a way to brighter future

Kids

Young minds clear a way to brighter future

2 October 2022

Junior reviewers Isabel and Eddy Greentree appreciate the strong message about the need for change in this lively opera aimed at young audiences.

Our little inventor. A lone figure is seen standing above a throng of opeople, her fist raised in a triumphant pose Powerful local voices sound a call to arms

Kids

Powerful local voices sound a call to arms

2 October 2022

The drought is over at WA Opera as Rosalind Appleby discovers a delightfully diverse opera by a local composer that enthrals children and adults alike.

A young performer from Circus WA does a handstand on top of a tight circle of four other performers in 'We Live Here'. Four shows to SEE at AWESOME Festival

Features

Four shows to SEE at AWESOME Festival

8 September 2022

AWESOME Festival director Jenny Simpson picks four shows from Australia’s premiere children’s arts festival which she says are must-sees for Seesaw families.

WA Opera's Tosca. A woman dressed in red kneels on the floor against a blue background. She is casting strong shadow against the wall Passionate Tosca heralds new approach

Reviews

Passionate Tosca heralds new approach

17 July 2022

It’s hard to say which element steals the show in WA Opera’s Tosca, writes Bourby Webster – the set is breathtaking, the singing sublime, and the WA Symphony Orchestra under Rebecca Lang world-class.

Always was, always will be…

Seesaw Magazine acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands on which we work and live, the Whadjuk people of the Noongar Nation. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region. Continue

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Seesaw Magazine acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands on which we work and live, the Whadjuk people of the Noongar Nation. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.
Continue