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Opera’s Bad Girl | Melbourne Fringe 2026


Before Melba... there was Anna Bishop, the World's First Daringly Defiant Diva.

Set in a Victorian Parlour, Anna Bishop, the extraordinary first International Diva, tells of her adventures in pursuit of a solo opera career, at a time when women of Society were not permitted. In a life story that reads like fiction, she tells how she left her famous composer husband, to tour with her genius harpist lover. Together they performed for Europe's Royal courts and to packed houses, venturing to where few dared. She survives shipwreck, tiger attack, perilous terrain, hostage, and the goldfields of the New World. In her three tours to Australia she transformed our musical landscape, aligning with our national character. The show is supported with songs and arias of the day, which she made famous, that became parlour favourites.

Sarahlouise Owens and pianist David Kram breathe life into Anna Bishop's story.

Canberra Critics Circle Winner for Musical Theatre 2025

*G rated.

EVENT DETAILS:

Dates: 8–10 October 2026

Time: 5:30pm, 8 & 9 Oct | 2pm, 10 Oct

Duration: 65 mins, no interval.

Doors open: 20 mins before the show

Venue: The Showroom at The MC Showroom, Prahran

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October 7

The Sacred Fish | Melbourne Fringe 2026

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October 16

Fleshamorphosis | Melbourne Fringe 2026