As a child, I was fortunate to see Siegfried and Roy at the Mirage Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. I loved it at age four and then just as much when I was 13. The sensational magic tricks enthralled me: cutting a woman in half, sword tricks, and levitation. Their show had over 80 dancers, 12 acrobats, 55 big cats including white tigers, Bengal tigers, lions, snow leopards, spotted leopards, jaguars, a horse and even a Thai elephant. In short, it was an extraordinary show, provided me with happy childhood memories and the building blocks of my love of stage shows. 

The duo performed 30,000 shows with no issues, until one night one tiger bit Roy, causing enough blood loss to trigger a stroke, effectively ending their 50 year career.

It was a sad end for the legendary pair who brought so much joy to 50 million people. A story worthy of an opera.

And now, commissioned by Sydney Festival, the wild tale of Siegfried and Roy is told as a tragicomedy opera by composer Luke Di Somma and director/Librettist Constantine Costi.

Siegfried & Roy The Unauthorised Opera attempts to tell the story of the great master magicians Siegfried Fischbacher and Roy Horn. From their violent upbringing in Germany, to meeting on the SS Bremen ship, the kickstart of their career and the fateful night of the tiger bite.

It’s rag to riches, dramatic story beautifully performed by Helpmann Award-winning tenor Kanen Breen (Opera Australia’s Hamlet, The Marriage of Figaro) as tiger-wrangling Roy, and acclaimed baritone Christopher Tonkin (Faust, La Bohème) as illusionist Siegfried.

There are moments of parody and exaggeration in the camp opera show. Costi, long fascinated by the magicians, heavily researched their story, but takes some liberties with the script. He openly exposes the romantic relationship (which the partners never confirmed) between Siegfried and Roy. Putting romance at the centre of the story allows Costi to bring levity and love to the tragedy. Especially in the bedroom scene when the inseparable team argues who should be on top (top show billing that is).

It was touching to see Siegfried physically supporting Roy with his glittering walking stick during their farewell performance. This moment echo’s his interview with Maria Shriver following Roy’s attack, when Siegfried said: “If he’s not going to be able to use his left arm, then I’m going to be his left arm.”

Use of live animals in entertainment is frowned upon these days however, the puppetry of Thomas Remaili and Kirby Myers proves it’s not needed. The baby cub Mantacore drawing oohs and ahhs of pleasure from the crowd, and later the skillful maneuvering of Mantacore, gives emotion and sympathy to the big cat.

Pleasingly, there is magic in this entertaining show. Magic consultant Adam Mada was enlisted to help with various tricks. Special reference needs to go to Cathy-Di Zhang (as Nancy White), who auditions to be part of the Siegfried and Roy Vegas show and is sawn in half whilst singing!

Costi and Somma believe opera should be for everyone and have created an accessible show that blends musical theatre and opera. With folk songs from Germany and contemporary music, the show successfully resonates with both seasoned opera enthusiasts and those new to the artform.

At their peak, Siegfried and Roy brought in over $1 billion dollars of ticket sales and could easily afford the opulent Liberace style of clothing they liked to wear. Leaning into the ruffles and sequins, the outfits the real illusionists wore on stage inspired Oscar-winning designer Tim Chappel (The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert) production costumes. And it was wonderful to see the audience get into the spirit too. While not as flamboyant as the stage performers, attendees embraced the festival spirit, dressing in a mix of animal print and sequins.  

Staged in the Wharf 1 cabaret room at The Thirsty Mile, the theatrette is dressed with big chandeliers, low lighting and a dedicated bar serving drinks throughout the show. The venue offers three different styles of seating – high stool bar seating right next to the catwalk stage, little cocktail tables down front and tiered seating at the back. 

Siegfried and Roy The Unauthorised Opera is a fun, frivolous night out at the theatre. 

4 stars.

The performance runs for 130 minutes with no interval.

Part of Sydney Festival, Siegfried and Roy The Unauthorised Opera will show at Wharf 1 Theatre (The Thirsty Mile), until 25 January 2025.

To purchase tickets visit Sydney Festival