Magic, Mayhem and Circus Madness Take Over Sydney Opera House with Mrs Giggly's Magic School

Mrs Giggly's Magic School

Sydney families are in for a wildly imaginative theatrical adventure when Mrs Giggly's Magic School, an eccentric circus-opera created by acclaimed Australian composer Chloé Charody, arrives at the Sydney Opera House for a limited season from 4 to 8 November 2026.

Blending circus, opera, music, comedy and magic, this spectacular family production promises to transport young audiences into a world where anything is possible and where imagination, kindness and self-belief may be the most powerful magic of all.

The production has already delighted audiences internationally, with its distinctive combination of classical music, circus performance and opera. Chloé Charody is recognised for creating works that bring together these art forms in imaginative and unconventional ways.

A Magical School Where Nothing Is Ordinary

For a thousand years, magic has been fading at Mrs Giggly's Magic School.

Its eccentric headmistress, Mrs Giggly, has lost her belief in magic, while her extraordinary students have become trapped in an increasingly dull and joyless existence.

But the arrival of young Shauna is about to change everything.

After tumbling through her toybox and hurtling down a blazing rainbow slide, Shauna suddenly finds herself inside Mrs Giggly's classroom. Her fearless curiosity and extraordinary sense of wonder begin to reignite the school's lost magic.

Soon the classroom is transformed into a place of music, movement, circus spectacle and wonderfully unpredictable adventures.

Meet the Most Unusual Students in the School

Mrs Giggly's Magic School

Mrs Giggly's students are certainly not ordinary schoolchildren.

Audiences will encounter Lathundra, the fire-breathing violinist; Tigerfly, the trapeze-singing tiger-fly; Choo-Choo, the roller-skating unicorn; and Bruhnhildazon, the unicycling snail-headed merman.

These wonderfully eccentric characters help make Mrs Giggly's Magic School a theatrical experience unlike a conventional children's show.

The production combines physical comedy and circus skills with operatic singing and original music, creating a colourful stage world designed to stimulate children's imaginations.

The show's unusual characters and playful storytelling are central to its appeal, reflecting Charody's interest in creating theatrical worlds where children's creativity can take centre stage. The work was developed through creative workshops with disabled children from Oakfield School Nottingham, whose ideas helped shape the narrative.

From Chaos Comes an Important Lesson

The magical mayhem takes another turn when students from the distant School of Wahumbungldeen arrive seeking help against the fearsome Principal Poop-a-lot.

What initially appears to be a battle between good and evil soon reveals a more complicated story.

Mrs Giggly discovers an unexpected secret behind the principal's cruelty. Rather than simply defeating him, she responds with compassion and understanding, helping to restore his heart.

It is a gentle reminder for young audiences that people who appear frightening or unkind may sometimes be dealing with their own fears and sadness.

At the heart of all the circus madness and magical comedy is a positive message about kindness, empathy, courage and believing in yourself.

Circus Meets Opera in a Spectacular Family Show

Mrs Giggly's Magic School

Mrs Giggly's Magic School is particularly distinctive because it does not fit neatly into one theatrical category.

Instead, it combines the physical excitement of circus with the musical storytelling of opera.

Chloé Charody has developed a reputation for creating this unusual fusion of artistic forms. Her first circus opera, The Carnival, opened on London's West End in 2010 and subsequently toured internationally, while her broader body of work includes opera, ballet, musicals, symphonic works and children's theatre.

The music of Mrs Giggly's Magic School has also been released as an EP, featuring five pieces including Introducing Mrs Giggly, Mrs Giggly Meets Shauna and Let's Make a Magic Show!

For children, the result is an introduction to opera and live performance without the formality sometimes associated with traditional opera. For parents and grandparents, it offers an opportunity to experience an imaginative piece of contemporary Australian theatre together with the younger members of the family.

A Sydney Opera House Adventure for the Whole Family

Presented in the Studio at the Sydney Opera House, Mrs Giggly's Magic School offers families an opportunity to experience live theatre in one of Australia's most recognisable performing arts venues.

With circus skills, extraordinary characters, original music, comedy and a colourful magical storyline, the production is designed to encourage children to embrace their imagination and see possibilities where others may see limitations.

For families searching for things to do with children in Sydney in November 2026, family theatre in Sydney, children's shows at the Sydney Opera House or unique school holiday-style entertainment, Mrs Giggly's Magic School promises something genuinely different.

The limited season means families planning to attend should consider booking early.

Mrs Giggly's Magic School Sydney 2026

Venue: Studio, Sydney Opera House
Dates: Wednesday 4 November to Sunday 8 November 2026
Performances:
Wednesday 4 November: 10am and 1.30pm
Thursday 5 November: 10am and 1.30pm
Friday 6 November: 10am and 1.30pm
Saturday 7 November: 10am and 2pm
Sunday 8 November: 10am and 2pm
Tickets: $45 to $55
Bookings: Mrs Giggly's Magic School at the Sydney Opera House
Book Mrs Giggly's Magic School at the Sydney Opera House

About Chloé Charody

Mrs Giggly's Magic School

Chloé Charody is an Australian composer and creator whose work crosses the boundaries between classical music, opera, circus and contemporary performance.

Her distinctive artistic style has seen her create works for international audiences and collaborate with performers from the worlds of opera, circus and music. Her creative approach has also placed children's imagination at the heart of Mrs Giggly's Magic School.

The production's playful mixture of circus and opera makes it an appealing introduction to live performance for children while offering adults plenty of theatrical invention to enjoy as well.

Plan a Magical Sydney Theatre Experience

With its combination of circus acrobatics, opera, comedy, original music and fantastical characters, Mrs Giggly's Magic School is set to bring plenty of magic and mayhem to the Sydney Opera House in November 2026.

For families looking for an entertaining and imaginative Sydney theatre experience, this colourful circus-opera offers a chance to step away from the ordinary and enter a world where a roller-skating unicorn, a fire-breathing violinist and a snail-headed merman can all belong in the same classroom.

And perhaps the show's most enduring lesson is also its simplest: sometimes the greatest magic is already inside us.

Chloé Charody Creations

Website: Chloé Charody Creations
Website: Chloé Charody Creations official website
Venue: Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
Bookings: Sydney Opera House bookings for Mrs Giggly's Magic School

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