Uma Dobia is your game show host for the evening as we spin the wheel, shake our maracas and ding our dong. Spotify playlists collide in Popera with questions such as “Why did Trevor leave? What’s cockrockera? And, who will win the air fryer?”.
How would you describe your show to someone who knows very little about it?
Popera is an interactive cabaret gameshow, that mixes original pop music with opera parodies! We tackle ageism and sexism in the arts, all while writing a love letter to our favourite divas. It’s basically opera with Kath and Kim energy!
What makes it stand out and why should people see it?
First of all, it’s comedy with opera, and who doesn’t love a diva who can sing a high E while singing lyrics inspired by WAP?! But second of all, you might just learn something about pop, opera and the divas who sing them.
How long was the process from idea to writing to stage? Any challenges along the way?
Hmmm I’d had the idea in my head from a conversation with Ali McGregor for a couple of months before I mentioned it to Bronny and she said she’d had a similar idea — then it was only about two months that we spent putting the show together before it opened in May of 2024! Our biggest challenge was making the time in between our other full-time gigs, but we made it happen.
What attracts you to comedy?
Who doesn’t love making other people laugh? But for me I really love that comedy makes difficult topics more approachable. Comedy helps to bring people’s guards down in a way that’s safe, and they might start to consider points of view they wouldn’t have before. And last, but definitely not least, comedy bonds people in a shared experience of joy and laughter — and we all need a little more of that.
How would you describe your relationship with the audience and what do you love the most about live performance?
The connection with the audience is what I love most about live performance, and in Popera there’s plenty of opportunity for connection with the audience! In the show the relationship with the audience is mostly one of an overbearing bestie, but there are real moments of empathy and care between the audience and my character, too, which are really beautiful.
Who would you say have been your biggest inspirations?
Ohhhh there are so many! But Ali McGregor, Kate Miller-Heidke, Renee Fleming and Audra McDonald are top of the list.
What are three things that would surprise people to learn about you?
Hmmm… that I listen to pop music more than I listen to opera (although that mightn’t be so surprising after coming to Popera), that I’m a dual citizen, and that I’m a tennis mega-fan!
What do you love to most about performing at MICF?
The audiences! Melbourne comedy fans are the best! Plus, it’s my hometown, so it’s nice to be performing close to home.
What comes after the MICF for you?
In May we take the show to Sydney Comedy Festival! I can’t wait to hear what Sydney audiences think of Popera!
Directed by Bronny Lane, get ready for opera, original pop songs, video and on-stage chaos coated in pop culture. If you love your cabaret dirty with an intellectual twist thrown you will definitely want to play Popera: Sex, Death & Politics as we stomp on the patriarchy and ageism in a pair of red knee-high sparkly boots.
April 12 – 20
https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/browse-shows/popera-sex-death-politics/
