Buckle up, travellers – Flight is ready for boarding. This time, we’re not talking about your typical domestic hop. Rather, an operatic production making its Southern Hemisphere debut in Adelaide with State Opera South Australia. Sung in English, Flight is a contemporary work for audiences of all ages. If you’ve never been to the opera before – or even if you have – this is the perfect show to dip your toes into those vivid operatic waters. This isn’t a three-hour sing through in a language you may not understand. It’s lively, it’s fun… it’s almost ‘musical theatre meets opera.’
Set within an airport terminal, Flight is inspired by the same remarkable true story that also motivated the popular Tom Hanks movie, The Terminal. In Flight, passengers aren’t flying to Krakozhia – but they are bunkering down during a heavy storm, stranded within the confines of the departures lounge. Here, things take a turn for the hilarious.
“The thing about this opera is that I feel like I’m watching an episode of The Simpsons in an airport,” quips legendary baritone Teddy Tahu Rhodes, who plays the role of the airport’s Immigration Officer in Flight. “It’s kind of a caricature of everyone you see in society – a caricature that’s almost real.”
Speaking exclusively with Point Hacks, Tahu Rhodes explains, “you identify with every single one of the characters.” Of his character, “I think we all have this innate fear that we’re guilty before we step up to the (immigration) counter to say anything. It’s like there’s a sense of fear, and I think it’s played that way in this opera. The show, at the moment (where) the immigration officer appears, there’s trepidation and I think that’s what makes the character.”
But, let’s reverse a little bit – or ‘push back’, in aviation lingo. Where, how, and why would you board this Flight – that apparently, is grounded by a storm? Curious to find out, I’ve nipped across to Adelaide to catch the show’s final rehearsal for a sneak peek (or priority boarding, ahem) of the journey ahead.
This article is produced in partnership with State Opera South Australia.
Flight plan: the journey’s path
Audiences first experienced Flight in 1998, and the work has quickly become the most popular opera of the last 80 years. Not since Peter Grimes debuted in 1945 has there been a new opera with so many professional performances under its belt.
You could say I’m an opera buff, having ventured to theatres as far and wide as The Met, The Royal Opera House, La Scala, Palais Garnier, and of course, the Sydney Opera House. (In a past life, I may have even co-created an opera conducted by Dane Lam, now the Artistic Director at State Opera South Australia – but that’s a story for another day.) But Flight is one opera that’s escaped me – until now.
If you’ve never been to an opera before and you love travel, clear your calendar. In fact, if you’re a seasoned opera-goer, why haven’t you already booked?
The drama starts early with the Immigration Officer (Tahu Rhodes) chasing after the Refugee (James Laing, a vivid countertenor). You certainly empathise with his plight, and join in celebrating his daily wins along the way.
Others are off on holiday – such as a couple (Nina Korbe and Henry Choo) comically hoping to reignite the spark with the promise of a trip. There’s the seasoned traveller (Jeremy Tatchell). And, his not-so-seasoned partner, who attempts travelling in the third trimester of pregnancy (Fiona McArdle). There are flight attendants (Ashlyn Tymms and Samuel Dale Johnson), who behave only when they think others are watching. The ‘Older Woman’ (Cherie Boogaart) waits for her fiancé to arrive. And then, the storms set in, much to the ire of air traffic control (Anna Voshege).
In other words, a quiet Thursday afternoon at a typical airport… and that’s just act one.
“We hope our own customers never have to go through a similar experience,” remarks the Managing Director of the theatre’s closest major air hub, Adelaide Airport. “We’re fortunate to witness extraordinary interactions between strangers and loved ones on a daily basis. I love how this opera showcases resilience and the connections that can form in unexpected circumstances.”
A Flight unlike any other
Acts two and three see the escapades escalate, as characters pursue desires – and manage boredom – in the face of the storm. The accompanying Adelaide Symphony Orchestra adds intrigue to the visuals and vocal lines, expertly conducted by Charlotte Corderoy.
By the end of the storm, one flight attendant is so dishevelled that he’s missing his belt and wearing somebody else’s pants, while gaining a life jacket. Another passenger has misplaced his trousers entirely, while another flight attendant has ventured airside to raid the vodka from the Business Class trolley. It’s comedic chaos.
“Flight is a laugh-out-loud, funny show,” observes SA Opera Artistic Director Dane Lam. In his view, it’s a “quality that can be all-too-rare in contemporary performance art. The music is a mélange of musical styles, from grand opera to popular dance rhythms, capturing the meeting of disparate personalities and cultures in an airport terminal.”
If you haven’t gotten the hint yet, this isn’t a six-hour-snooze to the trepidation of the would-be first-time audience member; it’s bang on-point. Even the tickets take on the theme.
Looking for the best-value Classic Reward seat? If you’re under 30, you’ll pay just $35 to sit in Premium Economy (B Reserve) or Economy (C Reserve) – no points required. Fancy a flight in First Class? Grab your Premium seat for $159, or take this Flight in Business Class (A Reserve) for $139. If your ‘age points’ are above 30, you can fly Premium Economy for $110 or Economy for $75. Concessions lower.
Opera “is nothing to be scared of,” continues Tahu Rhodes. “It can be very approachable, and something like Flight, which is, for us, in our own language. Take a punt, ‘cos it’s great, it’s just a different form of theatre. It’s theatre with music. It’s really just a different version of music theatre, for example – almost.”
“I first became interested in opera or classical music when I first went to see the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra play in my hometown. And just, suddenly, hearing an orchestra live – and seeing it live – is fascinating. It’s a really visceral, wonderful experience. So, give it a go. It’s not a scary, it’s not a scary at all.”
Reflecting on Flight
The travel nerd in me appreciates the attention to detail in the show. The digital departures board changes as time passes. Somebody has really done their research here – the flight numbers, operating airlines and destinations all match up. I spot flight EK2 preparing to board for Dubai, adding an element of realism given the characters are otherwise bunkering down, waiting for a ‘TriStar Airlines’ flight.
Flight begins with the refugee singing of his longing for First Class – and it’s a top-shelf, relatable performance. Another character pretends she only speaks French to avoid conversation with those around her… but the only words she knows are brand names like Chanel and Veuve Clicquot. I’m sure many of us can relate when stuck near a chatterbox…
But, the flight attendants steal the show. Tymms’ character wastes no opportunity to find a quiet place in the airport with company… or a vacant elevator… while Johnson’s character is all too eager to join. And, keen to continue the fun with any passenger that catches his eye. It’s a laugh a minute, but it’s not cringe.
There’s a more relatable storyline beneath the surface, eliciting the audience’s love of travel, family, friends, relationships, and life. There’s compassion when you least expect it. And, if you’ve come to hear Tahu Rhodes, you’ll teasingly be kept waiting until the third act – but the suspense is well worth it.
Secure your seat before the final call
You’ll have to be quick: this Flight departs on three nights only. It leaves the gate at 7:30 pm nightly on 8, 9 and 10 May 2025. Boarding takes place at the beautiful Her Majesty’s Theatre in Adelaide. Baggage can be checked at the cloakroom.
Don’t have your booking yet? Seat reservations can be made via Ticketek. With Ticketek being a Qantas Frequent Flyer partner, travellers taking this Flight can earn and spend Qantas Points on their booking. Just link your Qantas and Ticketek accounts before booking the journey.
One thing’s for sure. This isn’t a Flight that you can easily repeat any time soon. Don’t miss the chance to travel in style from the comfort of the theatre. Even if you’re not from Adelaide, it’s worth a quick trip. What else are points for, if not to enjoy the Flight?
To read more, head to the State Opera South Australia website.
Also read: Best ways to use Qantas Points for Australian art and cultural experiences
Imagery and video courtesy of State Opera South Australia. Chris Chamberlin travelled to Adelaide as a guest of State Opera South Australia.
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