Exploring a modern take on one of Mozart’s classic work’s, BK Opera presents Don Giovanni at the Meat Market Stables, North Melbourne, from 25 September 2024.
Don Giovanni is no dom, but a predator, taking advantage of the relaxed environment. Leporello, the tortured aide to Don Giovanni, is growing weary of aiding and abetting his narcissistic boss. Together, they enter a BDSM play party to find new diversions.
This production is not your typical setting of Don Giovanni. The production explores the BDSM subculture, Kate Millett, Artistic Director explains: “As a heightened artform, it makes sense to set a cannon Opera like Don Giovanni in various BDSM Play parties to contrast healthy communication, consent and pleasure with coercive, controlling and abusive behaviour. Don Giovanni isn’t a ‘Dom,’ he’s a rapist.”
BDSM has risen into mainstream since being featured in popular movies like Fifty Shades of Grey, but Millett explains “BDSM is often depicted as abusive. It is not abuse, in fact there are clear rules to ensure people feel safe.”
“In our production, during the overture our female Commendatore (the ‘play master’) will be leading a consent culture workshop because for a lot of BDSM parties in Melbourne you have to do that before attending a party,” says Millett.
BK Opera recontextualises opera for the 21st Century. “Opera is a peak artform of communicating heightened emotions. When exploring trauma and sexism themes, you have a social responsibility to communicate those messages for modern audiences,” says Millett.
BK Opera has a reputation for exploring the real darker themes in ways more relatable to younger audiences “Opera is a living artform and should be treated as such. We don’t need to see the same productions repeated over and over again,” says Millett.
Director: Kate Millett | Conductor: Gloria Gamboz | Featuring: Archie Rumsam, Nick Beecher, Phoebe Paines, Esther Counsel, Maya Charles Sedersen, Leyland Jones, Christopher-Jack Andrew, Alex Gorbatov, Alison Lemoh, Marli van der Bijl, April Foster, Rohan Gilham, Alicia Groves, Kelly Rae, Kayla Sims | Repetiteur: Kevin Tamanini | Set Designer: Max Bowyer | Lighting/AV Designer: Gabriel Bethune | Costume Designer: Oliver Hall | Sound Designer: Ethan Hunter | Stage Manager: Finlay Pedler | Intimacy Coordinator: Kathryn Yates | BDSM Consultant: Micah Patson | Fight Choreographer: Ricardo Magno
Don Giovanni
Meat Market Stables, 2 Wreckyn Street, North Melbourne
Season: 25 – 28 September 2024 (preview: 24 September)
Bookings: www.humantix.com
For more information, visit: www.bkopera.com.au for details.
Image: BK Opera presents Don Giovanni (supplied)