Artistic Director Dane Lam said the paid roles are open to actors of all ages and backgrounds. Submissions can be made via the online portal at stateopera.com.au, where applicants will need to provide a headshot, CV, and contact details. Auditions with Director Stephen Barlow are set for early March.
“This is a fantastic chance for local actors to perform on an international stage,” Lam said. “They’ll be part of an incredible production alongside a world-class cast, and who knows—maybe we’ll uncover the next big star!”
Set in an airport terminal during a fierce storm, Flight explores the intertwining lives of passengers stranded together. The story focuses on a stateless refugee, as well as an array of other characters – two married couples, a lonely woman, a pair of flight attendants, and an Immigration Officer. Over one unforgettable night, their lives become deeply intertwined as they struggle with their personal fears, desires, and vulnerabilities.
Lam emphasised the global quality of the cast, many of whom will be making their debuts with the company. “Bringing top international talent to Adelaide is vital for creating a rich and unforgettable experience for local audiences,” he said. “This opera truly showcases the range and depth of human emotion, and I’m thrilled to bring these extraordinary voices to the stage.”
Among the cast is James Laing, one of the most celebrated countertenors in the world, who will debut in the role of the Refugee. Laing, who has previously performed the role to critical acclaim at Glyndebourne Festival Opera, Opera Holland Park, and Scottish Opera, said this remains one of his favourite parts. Joining him will be Australian soprano Anna Voshege as the icy and God-like Controller. Voshege’s arias are set to soar to dizzying heights as her character watches over the unfolding drama.
Award-winning soprano Nina Korbe will play Tina, a character desperately trying to rekindle the spark with her partner Bill, played by the talented Henry Choo. Choo, a versatile lyric tenor, is a multiple Greenroom Award nominee and brings warmth and charm to the role. Local mezzo-soprano Cherie Boogaart will play The Older Woman—a twice-married divorcée clinging to the hope that her much younger fiancé will come to whisk her away.
Comedy and intrigue are added by Samuel Dale Johnson as The Steward and Ashlyn Tymms as The Stewardess. These two characters, secretly involved in a passionate affair, provide a lighthearted yet spicy contrast to the drama around them. Meanwhile, Jeremy Tatchell and Fiona McArdle will bring the married couple Minskman and Minskwoman to life—two characters on their way to a cold, distant life in Minsk, filled with both dread and hope.
The production will also feature Teddy Tahu Rhodes, one of Australia’s leading opera stars, who takes on a cameo role as the relentless Immigration Officer, searching for the elusive Refugee.
Directed by Australian Stephen Barlow, Flight is a contemporary masterpiece by Jonathan Dove, with a score that blends drama, humour, and beautiful music. Originally commissioned by Glyndebourne Opera with the intention of creating a modern-day Marriage of Figaro, Flight combines tears and laughter to explore society’s complexities. The libretto, penned by April De Angelis, is peppered with witty one-liners and moments of touching poetry that will keep audiences engaged.
“Flight is a deep exploration of human nature at its most vulnerable, and we are looking for actors to bring these life-affirming stories to the stage,” Lam said. “The characters they’ll play are full of emotion, complexity, and wit, and we can’t wait to see what our local talent brings to this exciting production.”
AUDITION DATES
- Submissions close: Monday 24 February 2025, 9:00 AM ACDT
- Callbacks: Week of 3 March 2025
- Rehearsals begin: Monday 14 April 2025
Flight returns to Adelaide nearly two decades after its Australian premiere at the Adelaide Festival in 2006. This exclusive season will run from 8-10 May 2025 at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Adelaide, South Australia.
For more information on auditions, tickets, and the Flight production, visit stateopera.com.au/productions/flight
