Accessibility
Text Size
Contrast Mode
Font Family
Spacing
Line Height
Link Highlight
The Priestess of Morphine
On THE PRIESTESS OF MORPHINE, composer Rosśa Crean and librettist Aiden K. Feltkamp create a beautifully haunting portrait of a Gertrud Günther, a young Jewish lesbian caught between her two selves during the Third Reich, who bravely sought her inner truth and passions while forced to live in the shadows.
Date & Time Thursday, 22nd February 2024 @ 7:30pm
Price $35 (Standard); $20 (Concession & Under 25s); $30 (Groups of 10 or more)
Warnings Sexual references
Religious references
References to World War II and the Nazis
References to assault
Drug use and addiction references
Depictions of injection and addiction with visible needles and syringes
Loud and sustained music
Accessibility Contains subtitles.

Note: The show starts 7.30PM sharp – doors are open from 6.30PM.

Music by Rosśa Crean & Libretto by Aiden K. Feltkamp 

‘The Priestess of Morphine’ will immerse audiences in scenes from the life of Baroness Gertrud Günther von Puttkamer, the dazzling socialite of the Weimar republic, and her nom-de-plume and alter-ego Marie-Madeleine, writer and poet, whose works were nearly erased from history by the Third Reich.  

This opera stars rising sopranos and WAAPA graduates Jessica Taylor (Gertrud) and Ava Charleson (Marie-Madeleine), led by emerging director Rachel Doulton and producer Hannah Lee Tungate. 

Running at just under an hour, The Priestess of Morphine balances surrealism and operatic grandeur in the tension between artist and muse. This contemporary chamber opera also features the talents of violinist Julia Watson, cellist Miranda Murray-Yong, and percussionist Thea Rossen.  

Join us in the foyer for a pre-show drink, doors open 1 hour before the start of the show. Following the show don’t rush off! The cast will join us in the foyer for a meet and greet. 

“…The Priestess of Morphine was an emotional and affective delight, and an exceptional showcase of Perth’s operatic, musical and creative talent. Whether audiences are experienced connoisseurs, or opera newcomers, this show will stay with them far longer than its final bow.”  

Review by Xpress Mag Jan 2023 

“…those who enjoy tales of queerness, nearness and the darkness of bottomless drug spirals, would more than adore The Priestess of Morphine.” 

Review by Artshub Feb 2023

Talent

Jessica Taylor
Ava Charleson

Get Your Tickets!

The Priestess of Morphine
Thursday, 22nd February 2024 @ 7:30pm
Buy Tickets (via artsculturetrust.wa.gov.au)

Event Sponsors & Partners

Venue
Albany Entertainment Centre
Address 2 Toll Pl, Albany WA 6330
Location Accessibility
  • Four ACROD parking spaces available
  • ramps available in building
  • unisex accessible bathroom (with left-handed rail support), lifts to the seccond floor
  • large amount of natural light.
  • Fair Day ’24
    Saturday, 2nd March 2024 @ 10:00am
    Free
    Albany Town Square
    All Ages
    Festival Launch Event ’24
    Friday, 9th February 2024 @ 6:00pm
    Free (Members Only)
    Pride in Diversity Training (2024)
    Friday, 1st March 2024 @ 9:00am
    Free
    Albany Town Hall
    15+
    The Priestess of Morphine
    Thursday, 22nd February 2024 @ 7:30pm
    $35 (Standard); $20 (Concession & Under 25s); $30 (Groups of 10 or more)
    Albany Entertainment Centre
    Drag and Drink
    Friday, 23rd February 2024 @ 5:30pm
    Free
    Dan Murphys
    18+
    “We Are Family” Community Picnic
    Saturday, 24th February 2024 @ 11:00am
    Free
    Eyre Park
    Dolly Parton: Backwoods Barbie Drag Spectacular
    Saturday, 24th February 2024 @ 7:00pm
    $35
    Albany Town Hall
    60 minutes
    18+ (Strictly)
    Karaoke After Party
    Saturday, 24th February 2024 @ 8:30pm
    Free
    The Premier Hotel
    18+
    Bi+ Community Picnic ’24
    Sunday, 25th February 2024 @ 2:00pm
    Free
    Binalup
    All ages (and friendly dogs welcome!)
    Pottery for Pride: Handbuilding Ceramics Workshop with The Village
    Sunday, 25th February 2024 @ 3:00pm
    $50
    Vancouver Arts Centre
    3 Hours
    15+
    Trivia with the Queens
    Monday, 26th February 2024 @ 6:00pm
    $15
    The Premier Hotel
    2 Hours
    18+
    Drag & Draw with Alexas Armstrong
    Tuesday, 27th February 2024 @ 7:00pm
    $65
    Albany Town Hall
    18+
    Spectrum Board Games Night
    Tuesday, 27th February 2024 @ 6:00pm
    Free
    Albany Public Library
    12-25 only
    Pride Film Night – The Mattachine Family
    Wednesday, 28th February 2024 @ 6:00pm
    $20
    Albany Town Hall
    15+
    Skye Scraper – the Life and Times of a Drag Queen Accountant
    Thursday, 29th February 2024 @ 7:30pm
    $35; $20 (Concession and Under 25s)
    Albany Entertainment Centre
    GRAI Silver Rainbow Training ’24
    Friday, 1st March 2024 @ 9:30am
    Clarence Estate
    parkrun ’24
    Saturday, 2nd March 2024 @ 8:00am
    Free
    Three Anchors
    Exhibition: SHELTER/The First Hug
    Friday, 23rd February 2024 @ 10:00am
    Free
    Vancouver Arts Centre
    Exhibition: SHELTER/The First Hug
    Monday, 26th February 2024 @ 10:00am
    Free
    Vancouver Arts Centre
    Exhibition: SHELTER/The First Hug
    Tuesday, 27th February 2024 @ 10:00am
    Free
    Vancouver Arts Centre
    Exhibition: SHELTER/The First Hug
    Wednesday, 28th February 2024 @ 10:00am
    Free
    Vancouver Arts Centre
    Exhibition: SHELTER/The First Hug
    Thursday, 29th February 2024 @ 10:00am
    Free
    Vancouver Arts Centre
    Exhibition: SHELTER/The First Hug
    Friday, 1st March 2024 @ 10:00am
    Free
    Vancouver Arts Centre
    Exhibition: SHELTER/The First Hug
    Monday, 4th March 2024 @ 10:00am
    Free
    Vancouver Arts Centre
    Art Exhibition Pride Project
    Friday, 23rd February 2024 @ 10:00am
    Free
    Albany Entertainment Centre
    Supervision for people under 15 recommended
    Art Exhibition Pride Project
    Monday, 26th February 2024 @ 10:00am
    Free
    Albany Entertainment Centre
    Supervision for people under 15 recommended
    Art Exhibition Pride Project
    Tuesday, 27th February 2024 @ 10:00am
    Free
    Albany Entertainment Centre
    Supervision for people under 15 recommended
    Art Exhibition Pride Project
    Wednesday, 28th February 2024 @ 10:00am
    Free
    Albany Entertainment Centre
    Supervision for people under 15 recommended
    Art Exhibition Pride Project
    Thursday, 29th February 2024 @ 10:00am
    Free
    Albany Entertainment Centre
    Supervision for people under 15 recommended
    Art Exhibition Pride Project
    Friday, 1st March 2024 @ 10:00am
    Free
    Albany Entertainment Centre
    Supervision for people under 15 recommended
    Art Exhibition Pride Project
    Monday, 4th March 2024 @ 10:00am
    Free
    Albany Entertainment Centre
    Supervision for people under 15 recommended
    Welcome to Country
    Thursday, 22nd February 2024 @ 6:00pm
    Free
    Albany Heritage Park (Outside Garrison Restaurant & Bar)
    Drag Bingo ’24
    Friday, 23rd February 2024 @ 7:00pm
    $35
    Stirling Club
    18+
    Dolly Pre-Game with Madame Beats
    Saturday, 24th February 2024 @ 5:30pm
    Albany Town Hall
    18+
    Pride Festival ’24 End of Month Drinks
    Friday, 1st March 2024 @ 5:30pm
    Free
    The Premier Hotel
    18+
    Twerkshop
    Saturday, 2nd March 2024 @ 11:00am
    $40
    Albany Town Hall
    18+
    “SHELTER” Art Exhibition with Artist Talk and Performance
    Saturday, 24th February 2024 @ 2:00pm
    Free
    Vancouver Arts Centre
    All ages
    Mardi Gras ’24 Watch Party
    Saturday, 2nd March 2024 @ 4:00pm
    $10
    Albany Entertainment Centre
    15+ (Parental Guidance for Under 15s)
    Spank Dance Party with DJ Yanique
    Saturday, 2nd March 2024 @ 8:00pm
    $40
    Albany Town Hall
    18+ (Strictly)
    Roller Disco
    Sunday, 3rd March 2024 @ 12:00pm
    Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre
    All ages
    Spank Twilight Boat Cruise
    Sunday, 3rd March 2024 @ 3:30pm
    $70
    Albany Marina
    Dykes on Bikes: Ride with Pride
    Monday, 4th March 2024 @ 12:00pm
    Woodlands Distillery
    “We Are Family” Story Time in the Library
    Saturday, 2nd March 2024 @ 10:30am
    Free
    Albany Public Library
    Recovery Brunch
    Monday, 4th March 2024 @ 10:30am
    Reservation Only
    Six Degrees
    Fair Day Dog Show 2024
    Saturday, 2nd March 2024 @ 1:00pm
    $10 (to register dog)
    Albany Town Square
    Emerald City Kickball Meets Albany Pride
    Sunday, 3rd March 2024 @ 12:00pm
    Free
    Albany Leisure and Aquatic Centre
    Exhibition: SHELTER/The First Hug
    Friday, 23rd February 2024 @ 10:00am
    Free
    Vancouver Arts Centre
    Exhibition: SHELTER/The First Hug
    Monday, 26th February 2024 @ 10:00am
    Free
    Vancouver Arts Centre
    Exhibition: SHELTER/The First Hug
    Tuesday, 27th February 2024 @ 10:00am
    Free
    Vancouver Arts Centre
    Exhibition: SHELTER/The First Hug
    Wednesday, 28th February 2024 @ 10:00am
    Free
    Vancouver Arts Centre
    Exhibition: SHELTER/The First Hug
    Thursday, 29th February 2024 @ 10:00am
    Free
    Vancouver Arts Centre
    Exhibition: SHELTER/The First Hug
    Friday, 1st March 2024 @ 10:00am
    Free
    Vancouver Arts Centre
    Exhibition: SHELTER/The First Hug
    Monday, 4th March 2024 @ 10:00am
    Free
    Vancouver Arts Centre
    Art Exhibition Pride Project
    Friday, 23rd February 2024 @ 10:00am
    Free
    Albany Entertainment Centre
    Supervision for people under 15 recommended
    Art Exhibition Pride Project
    Monday, 26th February 2024 @ 10:00am
    Free
    Albany Entertainment Centre
    Supervision for people under 15 recommended
    Art Exhibition Pride Project
    Tuesday, 27th February 2024 @ 10:00am
    Free
    Albany Entertainment Centre
    Supervision for people under 15 recommended
    Art Exhibition Pride Project
    Wednesday, 28th February 2024 @ 10:00am
    Free
    Albany Entertainment Centre
    Supervision for people under 15 recommended
    Art Exhibition Pride Project
    Thursday, 29th February 2024 @ 10:00am
    Free
    Albany Entertainment Centre
    Supervision for people under 15 recommended
    Art Exhibition Pride Project
    Friday, 1st March 2024 @ 10:00am
    Free
    Albany Entertainment Centre
    Supervision for people under 15 recommended
    Art Exhibition Pride Project
    Monday, 4th March 2024 @ 10:00am
    Free
    Albany Entertainment Centre
    Supervision for people under 15 recommended