Opera? Fun? In the same sentence? Absolutely!
Opera and fun don’t always get invited to the same party. People imagine serious faces, gold curtains, and arias that last longer than a Cape Town cold front. But Opera UCT’s Die Fledermaus is the opposite: it’s fizzy, flirty and gloriously extra – the kind of night out where you dress up, laugh out loud, and nudge the person next to you because yes, that just happened.
This production is bang-up to date: the famous Act II party has been moved to a Cape-based jazz nightclub – all shadows, delicious music and late-night swagger. The costumes are street-to-salon chic (masks welcome), the pace is brisk, and the vibe is “friends’ night out,” not “whisper and behave.”
Worried about language? Don’t be. The music is sung in German, the dialogue is in English, and surtitles keep everyone in the loop (including multilingual moments – so no one gets left behind). If you can follow a meme, you can follow this plot: mistaken identities, cheeky pranks, stolen kisses, and champagne-fuelled chaos.
Worried about language? Don’t be. The music is sung in German, the dialogue is in English, and surtitles keep everyone in the loop (including multilingual moments – so no one gets left behind). If you can follow a meme, you can follow this plot: mistaken identities, cheeky pranks, stolen kisses, and champagne-fuelled chaos.
And that old myth that opera is for older, wealthy, mostly privileged crowds? Not this one. The cast is young, the staging is proudly Cape Town, and the energy is for everyone – date-night people, fashion people, music people, first-timers, and yes, families. Oh, and it’s a world-class production too.
Think of Die Fledermaus as your favourite night out with better melodies. It’s the same delicious mischief we love in rom-coms and club stories, just sung by voices that can lift the roof and a band that can swing. Come as you are or come extra. Either way, you’ll leave smiling – and maybe humming.
Characters in Couture
Without giving too much of the surprise away, here’s a quick look at what to expect from the principal cast members and a guide as to how audiences can dress up too:
- Rosalinde – liquid satin and tulle and edgy opera gloves.
- Eisenstein’s tux is cropped, raw-edged, and cinched with a ripstop cummerbund.
- Adele zips from “maid” into muse in sequins
- Dr Falke (the Bat) soars in a cape with a street-hood twist.
- Prince Orlofsky embodies ungendered glamour.
The result is a stage picture that’s romantic, unruly, and unmistakably contemporary – a masquerade with a beat you’ll feel in your bones and music that crosses the centuries to lift souls (and soles).
Why You Should Be There?
It’s a visual feast, a night out, a fashion show and party disguised as opera. It’s your chance to get dressed up and turn up. Tickets start at accessible prices, and the energy is designed to welcome first-timers and lifelong fans alike. Whether you’re into street fashion, nightlife, theatre, or just want to try something new – this is the moment to say yes to opera.
Show Information:
Opera UCT’s Die Fledermaus
Venue:
Baxter Concert Hall
Dates and Times:
23 – 26 October 2025
Ticket Prices:
From R100 – R500 (excluding Service Fee)
Bookings:
Tickets available through Webtickets. U18s are free.
Running Time:
Approx. 2 hours 30 minutes, (includes 25 minute intermission)
Age Restriction:
None
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About UCT Opera:
Opera UCT is the premier opera training and performing institution on the African continent. We recruit the very best young local talent and provide an intensive, world-class training. Our productions and concerts are an exclusive showcase of these young artists before many proceed to prestigious placements on the international stage.
