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A white man with grey hair in a suit stands looking at a male dancer knelt on the floor. The dancer wears a harness and is dancing in water.

Watershed

14 – 16 June 2024

A smash-hit, five-star new Australian oratorio. Physically thrilling and steeped in recent history.

The moment and the movement that changed Australia.

As his body hit the water, few heard the impact. But the ripple effect of the murderous act defied natural law and swelled to seismic scale.

It’s half a century since the infamous drowning of Dr George Ian Ogilvie Duncan; a moment in time that led South Australia to decriminalise homosexuality.

Watershed is a ravishing new operatic work by some of Australia’s most acclaimed creative talents: playwright Alana Valentine, author Christos Tsiolkas and composer Joseph Twist. Australian theatre and opera legend Neil Armfield’s production is as deeply felt as it is thrillingly physical.

See why Watershed was met with five-star reviews, a sold-out premiere season, and rapturous standing ovations at every performance.

Presented by Opera Australia and Sydney Opera House by arrangement with Adelaide Festival

Enabled by Sydney Opera House donor Professor Ross Steele AM and New Work Now donors.

Co-commissioned by Feast Festival, Adelaide Festival and State Opera South Australia, supported by Arts South Australia and by the Adelaide Festival’s Commissioning Circle, Sidney Myer Fund and Nunn Dimos Foundation.
 

A white man with grey hair in a suit stands looking at a male dancer knelt on the floor. The dancer wears a harness and is dancing in water.

Trailer

Artist information

Composer & Orchestrator
Joseph Twist

Libretto
Alana Valentine & Christos Tsiolkas

Conductor
Brett Weymark

Director
Neil Armfield

Set & Costume Designer
Alisa Paterson

Lighting Designer
Nigel Levings

Video Designer
Sean Bacon

Choreographer
Lewis Major

Duncan/Dustan
Mark Oates

Mick O’Shea/Cop/Lawyer
Pelham Andrews

Opera Australia Orchestra
Opera Australia Chorus

Other information

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