Popera
Tjarnarbíó Theater, Tjarnargata 12, 101 Reykjavík Directions
Thu 03.09.2026 20:00
POPera follows a purple werewolf, who leaves his job in women's liberation, to go on a quest to find his long-lost father. Blending club kid culture with expressive art opera, it unfolds as a fairy tale of transformation, adventure, and unexpected discoveries. Along the journey you’ll meet the invisible forest spirit, pirates on a winged spaceship, sonic clairvoyant mineral beings who operate customs in space and the goldfish women who indulge the purple werewolf in their giant interstellar Orgy.
Interdisciplinary artist Diana Burkot and performance artist Michael Richardt form the creative core of POPera, an ever evolving mixed media project developed in collaboration with a range of artists and musicians. Premiered at Reykjavík Arts Festival 2024 at Iðnó with a conductor and brass ensemble, POPera now reemerges as an electronic music theatre show, reimagining opera as a contemporary mythological and emotional fairy tale.
Advisory: this production contains mature themes and minor sexual references. Recommended for audiences aged 13 and up.
Lyrics, Singer & Character Design: Michael Richardt
Music, Composition & Costume Design (selected): Diana Burkot
Choreography: Linde Hanna Rongen
Created in collaboration with: CatWalk Collective (artistic direction by Yuki Mik).
Performers
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POPera
It’s POP, it’s purple, it’s club. Meet the Purple Werewolf. The mythological creature in search of his long-lost father. Purple Werewolf loves fashion. He loves to rave and work towards women and queer liberation. Still, he wonders about his father. Can he find love and acceptance from someone who abandoned him?
POPera is a queer acid musical, in which electronic music becomes as dramatic as contemporary art opera. Prepare for a trip through space with lost boy pirates, high fashion border control and goldfish women. A classic fairytale of adventure, transformation and unexpected discoveries, though with a modern twist. What if there is actually no need for a patriarchal father, a hero or overtly strong morals? POPera is about the search for a world in which all wolves, monsters and creatures are loved and taken care of, regardless of who they are and how they express themselves.
Pussy Riot member and interdisciplinary artist Diana Burkot and performance artist Michael Richardt form the creative core of POPera. The show first premiered at Reykjavík Arts Festival 2024 at Iðnó with a conductor and brass ensemble. This will be the first time POPera is performed as an electronic music theatre piece.
Advisory: this production contains mature themes and minor sexual references. Recommended for audiences aged 13 and up.
