Behind the scenes

As West Australian Opera celebrates half a century, we take a look backstage at its latest production, comic operetta The Merry Widow.

After 730 days in the planning and 30 days (or 180 hours) of rehearsals, a cast of 70 musicians and 54 singers, dancers and principal performers will bring West Australian Opera’s production of The Merry Widow to life at His Majesty’s Theatre in Perth from 15 to 22 July, followed by a season in Melbourne from 15 to 25 November. About 30 artisans spent 9350 hours creating 107 costumes, 30 wigs, 4 moustaches, 3 beards and 81 pairs of shoes. The most elaborate costumes belong to Hanna – who wears a coat with a 30 -centimetre-high collar – and to the 12 grisette dancers, whose skirts have been stitched from 175 metres of tulle. With 6 shows in Perth and 12 in Melbourne, The Merry Widow, which cost more than $1 million to produce, aims to sell at least 25,000 tickets.