In composer Jane Hammond and librettist Therèsa Borg’s adaptation of Helen Garner’s acclaimed novel, Helen has offered her spare room to her friend Nicola, who is coming to Melbourne for an unconventional treatment that she believes will cure her cancer. Over three weeks, Helen becomes nurse, judge and guardian angel in one. Natalie Jones and Antoinette Halloran star as Helen and Nicola with a cast that also includes Adrian Tamburini, Emily Bauer-Jones, Carrie Barr and Rachael Joyce. Phoebe Briggs conducts the Victorian Opera Chamber Orchestra in Sarah Goodes’ world premiere production.

Limelight Editor’s Choice

Adapted from Helen Garner’s acclaimed novel, The Spare Room tells the story of Helen who lovingly prepares her spare room for her friend Nicola. Nicola is coming to Melbourne for three weeks to receive treatment she believes will cure her cancer.

From the moment Nicola staggers off the plane, Helen becomes her nurse, her guardian angel and her stony judge, as they negotiate an unmapped path through Nicola’s bizarre therapy.

Composer Jane Hammond and Librettist Therèsa Borg tenderly realise the rage, pained love and friendship at the essence of Garner’s award-winning book and let the story sing.

Depicting the friendship at its centre are sopranos Natalie Jones and Antoinette Halloran, who return to Victorian Opera as Helen and Nicola.

Sarah Goodes makes her operatic debut as the Director of this production, conducted by Phoebe Briggs.

Heartening, harrowing and darkly funny, The Spare Roommakes its world premiere as a moving new Australian opera.