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A dark true crime comedy is making its mark on North Queensland audiences as State Opera South Australia brings Love Burns to Townsville Civic Theatre this month.

The storyline is based on the 1940s true crime American serial killer couple ‘the honeymoon killers,’ and delivers mischievous comedy with masterful musicality.

State Opera South Australia Artistic Director, Stuart Maunder AM said Love Burns is sure to delight for newcomers and lovers of opera alike.

“Following a sensational short season in 2021 and thanks to the support of the Australian Government through the RISE fund, we are thrilled to announce this national tour which starts next month,” Maunder said.

Love Burns also joins the Lost Operas of Oz series championed by Maunder.

“Three years ago, we launched the Lost Operas series – our commitment to put Australian opera where it belonged – on centre stage. Productions such as Love Burns have been met with acclaim and have reached a place in the hearts and minds that grand canon cannot,” Maunder said.

Audiences around the country can now bear witness to this darkly funny chamber opera by Graeme Koehne with libretto by Louis Nowra.

The main protagonist, Jack, is a con and a ladies’ man, feigning love to steal money from lonely widows. Angela, initially one of his victims, pairs up and assists him in his deception. She loves the con but not the ladies and when jealousy sets in, she persuades Jack to kill his victims.

Community and Cultural Development Committee chairperson Ann-Maree Greaney said hosting the opera was a coup for Townsville.

“Townsville Civic Theatre is the only North Queensland theatre hosting this impressive true crime opera. As the arts and culture capital of Northern Australia, we’re proud to extend a warm welcome to State Opera South Australia as they tour this outstanding production through our neck of the woods,” Cr Greaney said.

Critics and audiences alike have responded with delight to the unique voice that is Australian opera in all its intimate, grand and quirky forms, and even brings waltz and tango to the stage.

In conjunction with Country Arts SA, the first performance of this national tour will take place in Noarlunga, SA. The show will then travel nationally to Darwin, Townsville, Toowoomba, Margaret River and Perth before returning to regional SA for performances in Mount Gambier, Renmark and Port Lincoln.

Don’t miss a thrilling night out at State Opera’s Love Burns. The national tour performs in Townsville on Wednesday 26 October 2022. For tickets, head to .