Fat Pig.

How many insults can you hear before you have to stand up and defend the woman you love?

Tom faces just that question when he falls for Helen, a bright, funny, sexy young woman who happens to be plus-sized—and then some. As Tom faces the taunts and judgment of his peers, Fat Pig questions whether anyone can really see past the surface.

Adapted from Neil LaBute’s award-winning 2004 play, by Australian librettist Miriam Gordon-Stewart and American composer, Matt Boehler, this black comedy examines the nature of beauty and attraction, revealing the operatic reserves of human truth that lie beneath the surface of a workplace rom-com.


The Program.

Fat Pig, Matt Boehler Composer and Miriam Gordon-Stewart Librettist
Based on the play by Neil LaBute
Australian Premiere.


The Band.

Evan J Lawson Musical Director
Kate Millett Director (guest artist)
Max Bowyer Set Designer (guest artist)
Gabriel Bethune Lighting Designer

Amanda Windred Helen
Kiran Rajasingam Tom (guest artist)
Daniel Szesiong Todd Carter
Belinda Dalton Jeannie (guest artist)

Image by Cameron Grant

Presented by Forest Collective, BK Opera and fortyfivedownstairs

Fat Pig was originally commissioned by and developed with Victory Hall Opera.

5 – 8 June 2025

Venue
fortyfivedownstairs theatre

45 Flinders Lane
Naarm-Melbourne

Preview performance: 
Thursday 5 June 7.30pm

Opening night: 
Friday 6 June 7.30pm

Saturday 7 June 7.30pm
Sunday 8 June 5pm

Duration: 75 minutes, no interval

Ticket Prices:
Preview Full:
$50
Preview Concession:
$40
Full:
$70
Concession: $50
Group 6+: $50
First Nations and under 30s: $35

Concessions: Pensioners/Full-time students/MEAA members

Ticket sales are subject to a booking fee of $2.00 per ticket plus any merchant charges for payments by American Express

Bookings: 03 9662 9966

Access to the fortyfivedownstairs theatre

fortyfivedownstairs has level access to the theatre space only.  The back of our building is at Flinders Street level, however the gallery is only accessible by stairs.

To enter the gallery space there are two flights of stairs, 28 steps in total, with a landing in the middle. The first flight has a handrail on the right-hand side going down, the second flight has a handrail on both sides. To enter the theatre space, there are an additional two flights of stairs down.

The lighting in the gallery is warm-toned and soft spotlights are used to highlight work. This is subject to change depending on exhibitions in the space. The lighting in the theatre is warm-toned and often set low. This is also subject to change depending on the production.

If you wish to attend a play or event in the fortyfivedownstairs theatre and require ground level access please contact us.  Access is from Spark Lane, which is a small lane running off Flinders Street, between Spring and Exhibition.  We need to know 24 hours before the event in question, or by 5pm on Friday if it is a weekend event.  We will then provide you with detailed instructions including the stage or venue manager’s phone number.

If you have any questions about a specific event and your access needs, please don’t hesitate to email us using this form on this page, or to call us on (03) 9662 9966 to arrange access.

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The Forest at Home (online).