Following its wildly successful Melbourne debut last year, opera’s greatest late-night party Opera Up Late will return to the Regent Theatre for one mischievous night only on Sunday 15 November 2026.
Outrageous, opera-loving host Reuben Kaye will once again shock and delight audiences with his riotous celebration of all things operatic, with added musical theatre classics and a few pop hits sprinkled in, this is a night at the opera like none other.
Joining the fun are some of Opera Australia’s finest singers, including Australia’s most highly awarded soprano Emma Matthews, with Ruth Strutt, Daniel Macey and Anthony Mackey, who all make a welcome return to the glittered Opera Up Late stage.
This year the operatic cabaret will borrow its set from Opera Australia’s new production of La Bohème and will feature an all-new repertoire of wicked jokes, fabulous costumes and a brand new take on some of opera’s most iconic arias, but in the queerest, campest way possible.
Award-winning director Shaun Rennie has praised the talented host and cast who make this concert an ongoing and joyful celebration of opera, queerness and camp. “Opera Up Late began as a one-off concert in 2023 for World Pride and has grown into an ongoing celebration of all things opera, camp and naughty unapologetic joy!” said Rennie.
“Built on the extraordinary talent, creativity and infectious energy of Reuben Kaye as host alongside so many gifted performers from Opera Australia, it is a total joy to create every year. I’d encourage everyone to join us at the Regent Theatre in November for a guaranteed night of belly laughs and divas!” said Rennie.
In all its sparkling glory Opera Up Late will be an unforgettable night out, the perfect opportunity for audiences to dress to impress, laugh out loud and celebrate everything fabulous about opera.
Opera Up Late
Regent Theatre, 191 Collins Street, Melbourne
Performance: Sunday 15 November 2026 – 9.00pm
Information and Bookings: www.opera.org.au
Image: Reuben Kaye in Opera Australia’s Opera Up Late (Sydney 2026) – photo by Carlita Sari