THE PAINTED DRAGON
Original Music Theatre for Young Audiences

Production Overview

Picture
Composer, Librettist & Director: Rose Nolan
Duration: Approximately 60 minutes
Recommended Age: 5–12 years
Performers (number of musicians can be expanded or reduced):
  • 3 singers
  • 1 pianist
  • 1 cellist
  • 1 violinist
Technical Requirements:
  • 1 Lighting / AV technician

A short sample of the opera can be found here.
*Please note this is an unpolished archive from the Berlin 2024 boat pilot composition workshop. As it was on a boat, it was pared-down for the limitations of the venue of a moving boat with limited space. In a theatre, the production can be scaled up with more instruments and performers. 

Artistic Overview

The Painted Dragon is a newly composed Australian opera for children that introduces young audiences to the magic of opera through adventure and imaginative storytelling.

Set in inner Melbourne, the opera takes audiences on a magical journey through a series of encounters with Australia's unique wildlife and mystical characters, including a fairy, an elf, the Sandman and various creatures of the sea. Together, they reveal the beauty and diversity of the natural world while inviting children to see familiar places through new eyes.

Through these imaginative encounters, themes of environmental stewardship, friendship, kindness and courage emerge naturally. Children discover some of the challenges facing Australia's native wildlife and explore practical and fun ways that individuals and communities can care for the environment. Combining fantasy with newly composed music, The Painted Dragon celebrates curiosity, wonder and hope, inspiring young audiences to understand that even small actions can make a meaningful difference.

Why The Painted Dragon?

The Painted Dragon introduces children to opera through an original Australian story that connects music, imagination and environmental awareness. By presenting familiar landscapes and native wildlife within a theatrical adventure, the work seeks to nurture curiosity, empathy and a lasting connection with both the natural world and the art forms of music theatre and opera.

Artistic Themes

  • Climate change
  • Australian biodiversity
  • Victorian wildlife
  • Community action eg. Friends of Merri Creek
  • Hope
  • Kindness
  • Environmental stewardship

International Development

The development of The Painted Dragon has been supported through multiple stages.
The work-in-progress development was supported by Vielrespektstiftung as part of the Unkraut Kollektiv Dreamsplatform in Berlin.

The completed production received funding in Berlin through the KiA-Förderprogramm, Tempelhof-Schöneberg and was presented at ufaFabrik, Berlin during KinderKulturMonat.

Creative Learning (Optional Extension)

An accompanying creative learning residency has been developed alongside the production, enabling students to explore endangered local species, create sustainable costumes and participate in aspects of the final performance.
This participatory element has developed in response to strong interest from Berlin schools and represents one possible model for future community engagement where appropriate.


In-Theatre Participation

Artistic & Educational Value Victorian School Curriculum
The Painted Dragon carefully incorporates designed participatory moments that encourage children to engage physically, musically and imaginatively while maintaining the artistic integrity of the performance. The experience opera as an active, shared event, rather than solely as spectators. 
  • rhythmic body percussion
  • stomping, clapping, and finger patterns
  • movement and dance
  • collective sound-making
  • Science – Victorian biodiversity, endangered species, habitats and the impacts of climate change on native wildlife.
  • Geography – Caring for local environments, environmental sustainability and community action.
  • The Arts – Music, drama, storytelling, creative performance and imagination through music theatre.
  • Capabilities – Critical and Creative Thinking, Ethical Capability, and Personal & Social Capability.
  • Cross-Curriculum Priority – Sustainability – Climate awareness, biodiversity conservation, environmental stewardship and responsible action for sustainable futures.

Berlin Performance Pictures

Reviews of The Painted Dragon

Brandon: "Thank you so much! It was a wonderful event and both Caspian and I had a lovely time.  Caspian couldn't stop talking about the show on the way home, he was enraptured. Can't wait to see it again!"

Alexandra: "It was so so so wonderful yesterday. Lazlo, Benno and I had a splendid time. Thank you again so much for putting all this together and allowing us to be part of this awesome day!"

Michael: "Thank you again for a fabulous performance and a wonderful event for Emil and me!"

Valbona: "Thank you for the invite and for the opportunity to be a part of today's performance! Great job!!!"

Luana: "Thank you for the amazing show."