Underground Opera
The Underground Opera Company, formed in April 2007, is now literally on the move … underground. Ken Cotterill takes Stage Whispers down the mineshaft with this remarkable subterranean company.
In November 2008 the Underground Opera Company performed at the Central Deborah Goldmine in Bendigo, Victoria and the Capricorn Caves (The Cathedral) near Rockhampton in central Queensland.
The Underground Opera Company was formed to provide regional centres with professional concerts in unusual environments such as underground mines, tunnels and caves.
Founder and producer Bruce Edwards is excited about the future of the company.
“The company is continuously securing more venues ranging from open cut coal pits to five star resorts,” said Bruce. “Underground Opera is certainly gaining in popularity with audiences all over the country. I feel that today’s audience appreciates something out of the ordinary, whilst still expecting a world-class performance. It is very satisfying when you have an audience on their feet roaring with applause and cheers at the end of a show,” said Bruce.
A former miner, Bruce Edwards worked in a variety of mining communities and was appalled at the lack of entertainment on offer.
“I have lived and worked in mining communities for the last fifteen years but there was little to no entertainment,” said Bruce.
Bruce’s passion for opera and musicals began after he successfully auditioned for parts in various established musicals like The Sound of Music, Les Miserables and Kismet. Bruce then came up with the idea of marrying his new passion for the arts with his knowledge of mining.
The Underground Opera made its debut in September 2007, at the Prophet Gold Mine near Kilkivan, west of Gympie in Queensland. The success of that first concert has led to further productions around Australia.
The Central Deborah Gold Mine near Bendigo will require the audience to don hard hats and travel 61 metres down a mineshaft into the once operational gold mine. At the bottom of the mine shaft doors open to a 3m x 3m tunnel that still has the original rail system that the miners ran their equipment on. Opera-goers are now in a world that most people never see. After a short walk they then arrive at the performance venue.
“With only 80 seats available per show this is one of the most intimate opera experiences available. This is an opportunity to experience opera singers with no amplification, effects, bells or whistles; just pure voices resonating where mining machines once roared,” said Bruce.
In Rockhampton the Capricorn Caves will present the audience with an intimate opera experience as they venture into a naturally formed ‘Cathedral.’
“This venue is incredible; from the church pew seating to the magnificent 60 foot ‘Cathedral.’ Even the short walk into the caves is spectacular,” said Bruce. “The incredible performances of a cast oozing talent and the uniqueness of the venues are only out-weighed by the elation and gratitude of the audience.”
“If you are not a fan of operatic music this will convert you. This is opera in the raw,” said one elated audience member who travelled from Perth to Bendigo to experience Opera Underground.
The Company has plans for more tours in 2009 including central Queensland, central New South Wales and central Victoria, along with concerts in Port Douglas (Qld), Olympic Dam (SA) and the Jenolan Caves (NSW).
“We have additional tours and more extraordinary venues established for 2009. I think we must be doing something right,” said Bruce.
